More and more Americans have become health conscious and choose to alter their diets in a way that preserves their long-term health. One thing more and more people have become aware of is the use of trans fats in their foods.
Some people, though, may be wondering what trans fats are exactly and why food companies use trans fats to begin with. Here are those answers as well as information about why reading nutrition labels in their entirety is still important.
What are Trans Fats?
What trans fats and why are they unhealthy? For starters, trans fats aren't natural. Trans fats result when a regular fat (such as some type of vegetable oil) is created through a process of hydrogenation, that is, adding hydrogen to the oil.
Unlike non-hydrogenated fats, partially hydrogenated oils and fats exist in a solid or semi-solid state at room temperature (think of shortening or margarine). Most non-hydrogenated oils are liquid and clear. While people don't buy and use obviously partially hydrogenated oils to cook with (they don't buy a product called "Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil;" instead, they buy "shortening"), they do "buy" them indirectly in the foods they purchase for consumption, most notably processed foods.
Why are Trans Fats Used in Processed and Other Purchased Foods?
There are many reasons food companies use trans fats in their foods, but one of the biggest reasons is because using a trans fat, rather than a more natural fat, increases shelf life. Adding a partially hydrogenated oil to a product increases the product's stability.
A big part of the problem, though, is that partially hydrogenated oils can be found in far too many products, so they're hard to avoid. Many processed foods, from cookies to breads, chips to soups and even a variety of fast foods contain trans fats.
Why are Trans Fats so Bad and How Can People Avoid Them?
Trans fats are different from regular fats. That's the main reason why they're bad for people – the body doesn't digest them the way it does other fats. Not only are trans fats dangerous in terms of cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health, but they have been implicated in numerous other health problems.
It's hard for consumers to know what to buy, in spite of the new labeling requirements that make companies list in the Nutrition Facts label how many grams of trans fats are contained in their products. Due to the FDA labeling requirements, a product can contain up to half a gram of trans fat per serving and still be labelled as "trans fat free" and the nutrition label can state that it has zero grams of trans fats.
So how does a consumer avoid trans fats altogether? It comes down to reading the ingredients list. If, anywhere in the list, is a product that is "partially hydrogenated" (such as partially hydrogenated soybean oil), then the consumer will know that the product contains trans fats and it would be best to avoid that product.
Using Healthy Fats in Moderation is the Best Idea
Consumers can still use fat in their cooking. Some oils, such as canola and olive, are hailed for their healthy qualities. While people still don't want to overdo it when it comes to consuming fats, using healthier natural oils in moderation have a better chance of doing no harm to their health.
Sources:
Center for Science in the Public Interest. "About Trans Fat and Partially Hydrogenated Oils."
Center for Science in the Public Interest. "Trans Fat: Going, Going ..."
Mayoclinic.com. "Trans Fat is Double Trouble for Your Heart Health." Mayo Clinic staff.
Medicinal Food News. "Trans Fat Causes Many Health Problems."
Simon & Schuster's Tips on Healthy Living. "Spotting Hidden Trans Fats."
Cynthia Jones-Shoeman - Cynthia (“Cindy”) Jones-Shoeman earned her MA in English from Colorado State University in 2007; her thesis was "Toni ...
