What Are Trans Fats, and Are They Bad for You?

Trans fats are defined as manufactured fats created during a process called hydrogenation, which aims to prevent unsaturated fatty acids from hardening and remaining solid at room temperature without melting. Trans fatty acids are in the class of unsaturated fats. Trans fats can be produced naturally by animals in their bodies, or they can be produced artificially by industrial means. Naturally produced trans fats are synthesized by bacteria in the digestive system of some animals, and certain amounts of trans fats can be found in foods made from these animals and their products.

Why use Trans Fat?

Trans fats are a type of oil that is cheap, easy to use and can remain intact for a long time. It gives a delicious taste to food. Products produced using trans fat are cheaper and have a long shelf life. Therefore, it is highly preferred in the production of packaged foods. It is an advantageous food, but the use of trans fats in food technology, which also risks the health of consumers, is restricted by many countries.

What are the foods containing Trans Fat?

Some of the foods with the highest trans fat content in food technology:

• Margarine
• Bakery products such as bread and cake
• Popcorn
• Ice cream
• Snacks Fast food such as french fries and crispy chicken
• Frozen pizza and other dough-containing products
• Baked goods such as muffins, cakes and pies
• Coffee creamer

What are the Harms of Trans Fats?

1. Excessive trans fat consumption increases the risk of heart diseases. Eating foods high in trans fat disrupts the balance between LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) in the body. It increases the ratio of LDL to HDL.
2. Eating foods rich in trans fats poses a risk for the development of Type 2 diabetes.
3. Increased inflammation plays an important role in the development of chronic diseases such as arthritis, heart diseases and diabetes.
4. Trans fat can disrupt the vascular structure by causing damage to the innermost layer of the vessels. As a result of this deterioration, dilation of the veins may occur.
5. There are also studies showing that trans fats cause the development of some cancers. There have been studies showing that it increases the risk of breast cancer in women.
6. Trans fats basically work by disrupting the balance of good and bad cholesterol in the blood. As a result of the disturbed balance, heart problems may occur, inflammation in the body may increase and cause chronic diseases.

Which Oils Should I Consume?

The most suitable type of fat to consume for a healthy life is unsaturated fats. Both mono and polyunsaturated fats help create a healthier diet. Examples of monounsaturated fats are vegetable oils such as olive oil and avocado oil. In addition, nuts such as almonds, peanuts and walnuts are foods with high monounsaturated fat content. Polyunsaturated fats are also known as essential oils. They cannot be produced in the body and must be taken externally. One of the most well-known varieties of this group is omega 3 fatty acid.

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