Health risks associated with hydrogenated fats

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Extract from the article: There are many types of fat in food. Some are healthy and others are harmful. Hydrogenated fats are vegetable fats that can behave like other animal fats in the body. They are also known as trans fats, which change their composition, appearance and t

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There are many types of fat in food. Some are healthy and others are harmful. Hydrogenated fats are vegetable fats that can behave like other animal fats in the body. They are also known as trans fats, which change their composition, appearance and texture. They are now present in many foods produced by the agri-food industry. Whether partially or totally hydrogenated, the use of hydrogenated fats is now under fire because of the potential health risks.

Hydrogenated fats, or trans fats, are fats produced by a chemical process. These are the fats with the most unfavourable indicators. In fact, no-one recommends eating them, not even in small quantities. They should be avoided as much as possible. Obtained from the hydrogenation of vegetable oils (they go from an unsaturated to a saturated state with the trans form), they are much more harmful than naturally occurring saturated fats.

How are trans fats obtained?

Trans fats or hydrogenated fats are obtained using a chemical process that has a number of advantages for manufacturers.Mainly in terms of cost, as they are cheaper than other types of fat. Hydrogenated fats are fats to which hydrogen atoms have been added through the hydrogenation process.Once hydrogenated, fats are semi-solid and offer many advantages for the food industry.They are more resistant to heat and transport. They are also easier to store and package, and have a longer shelf life than conventional perishables.Products containing hydrogenated fats also have a more malleable texture.

The food, restaurant and fast food industries introduce hydrogen into certain foods that contain fat in its natural liquid form.Oils, for example.They use this practice when the food is at very high temperatures so that it does not stop solidifying afterwards.

This way, the food stays in perfect condition for longer. They also look more appetising and are easier to cook, as they are harder to spoil during cooking.

 

What are the health effects?

Trans fats or hydrogenated fats are found in most processed foods, including sausages, hams, hamburgers and sharwama.Consuming just 5g of trans fats a day is already considered dangerous to health.In fact, these are the fats that are most harmful to health.The WHO Expert Committee stresses the need to significantly reduce or eliminate hydrogenated fats from industrial food production.

In addition, they increase the risk of suffering from cardiovascular and cerebral diseases, metabolic disorders,arteriosclerosis, cancer and diabetes.Hydrogenated fats can raise levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides while lowering levels of good cholesterol.They can lead the body to produce hormones and defective cell membranes. These fats inhibit the action of essential fatty acids, delaying brain growth and maturation.Consumers are not fully aware of the health effects of a high intake of hydrogenated fatty acids.And in particular on cardiovascular health.

 

 

Foods and products containing hydrogenated fats

Hydrogenated fats are inexpensive and have the ideal consistency for making a wide range of products.What's more, their flavour is very pleasant to the palate and their shelf life is longer than that of other types of fat.Some foods and products contain hydrogenated fats: industrial pastries, white bread, pastries, biscuits and chocolate bars, pre-cooked meals, candy margarines, fast food, fried foods, ice creams and ice creams, quiches and pizzas.

Avoid hydrogenated fats

Avoid processed products. Choose fresh products that do not contain this type of fat.Read labels carefully before buying a processed product. Opt for a natural diet, with as little processing as possible and the use of natural oils such as coconut or olive oil.

William O.