Frequently Asked Questions About Trans Fats
What are trans fats and where are they found?
Trans fats are a type of fat that is created when hydrogen is mixed with oil in a process called hydrogenation. They can also occur naturally in food. Trans fats can be found in a variety of foods including milk, beef, lamb, partially hydrogenated oil, vegetable shortening, crackers, cookies, and other processed foods.
Do trans fats occur naturally?
Yes. The Department of Agriculture estimates that 25 percent of trans fats in a typical diet come from natural sources like beef, milk, or lamb.
Why do food makers and restaurants use trans fats?
Food companies and restaurants started using partially hydrogenated vegetable oil in the early 1900s in the form of margarine and shortening. By the 1990s, activist groups had successfully pressured many restaurants to abandon foods high in saturated fats like beef tallow, and switch to partially hydrogenated oil for cooking French fries and other foods.
The characteristics of partially hydrogenated oils are hard to reproduce without using oils high in saturated fats, like butter or lard. For instance, partially hydrogenated oil gives pies their characteristic flaky crust and makes margarine easier to spread. It also keep cookies soft and gives French fries their distinctive crunch and taste.
Are food makers and restaurants phasing out trans fats?
Yes. Many food makers and restaurants are working to find alternatives to using partially hydrogenated oil in their products. The trouble is that trans fats are proving difficult to replace without changing the taste and texture of many products and without using oils high in saturated fats.
Are trans fats bad for my health?
They certainly aren't health foods. Scientific research indicates that trans fats behave similar to saturated fats, causing blood levels of LDL—the so-called "bad" cholesterol—to increase. High levels of LDL have been linked to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Are trans fats all bad?
No. Emerging sciences indicates that a compound called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is found in some trans fats, may possess health benefits, including fighting some cancers, enhancing immunity, and counteracting artery clogging fats—the primary cause of cardiovascular disease.
Should I stop eating trans fats completely?
No.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Says:
According to experts, eliminating trans fats completely from the diet would require such extraordinary dietary changes (e.g., elimination of foods, such as dairy products and meats that contain trans fatty acids) that eliminating trans fats could cause an inadequate intake of some nutrients and create health risks.
What do trans fats have to do with obesity?
Very little. Many people harbor the misconception that trans fats will make them gain more weight than other fats. While they do contain calories, trans fats are typically a very minor contributor to the overall calorie count of foods.
When people talk about the health effects of trans fats, they are referring to their effect on blood cholesterol, not weight.