Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat that are created through a process called hydrogenation, which turns liquid vegetable oils into solid fats.

They are commonly found in fried foods, baked goods, and processed snacks, and are often used to extend the shelf life of food products.

While trans fats may enhance the taste, texture, and preservation of food, research has linked them to an increased risk of heart disease. In fact, the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that trans fats are not generally recognized as safe for human consumption and has taken steps to remove them from the American food supply.

What are trans fats?

Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat that are created through a process called hydrogenation, where hydrogen molecules are added to liquid vegetable oils in order to make them more solid and stable at room temperature.

Trans fats appear in a wide variety of food products, including fried foods, snack cakes, cookies, frozen pizzas, and many types of margarine and shortening. They are often added to food products in order to improve texture, taste, and shelf life.

While small amounts of trans fats can be found naturally in some animal products like meat and dairy, the majority of trans fats in the American diet come from processed and packaged foods.

How are trans fats harmful?

Trans fats are harmful because they raise levels of LDL cholesterol, which is commonly known as “bad” cholesterol.

LDL cholesterol is responsible for depositing fat and cholesterol in your arteries, leading to the formation of plaque that can cause heart disease and stroke.

Trans fats are also known to lower levels of HDL cholesterol, which is commonly known as “good” cholesterol.

HDL cholesterol helps carry LDL cholesterol away from your arteries and back to your liver, where it can be broken down and eliminated from your body.

In addition to increasing your risk of heart disease, trans fats have also been linked to other health problems, including type 2 diabetes and memory impairment.

How do trans fats affect heart disease risk?

Research has shown that even small amounts of trans fats can significantly increase your risk of heart disease.

One study found that consuming just 2 grams of trans fats per day (the equivalent of eating one small order of French fries) can increase your risk of heart disease by 23%.

The way that trans fats affect heart disease risk is by raising levels of LDL cholesterol, which can lead to the formation of plaque in your arteries. This can cause your arteries to narrow and become blocked, leading to heart attack or stroke.

Trans fats also decrease levels of HDL cholesterol, which is necessary for good heart health.

When your body doesn’t have enough HDL cholesterol, it can’t effectively remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries, leading to an increased risk of heart disease.

Why are trans fats so prevalent in processed foods?

Trans fats are prevalent in processed foods because they are cheap to produce and can extend the shelf life of food products. They also provide a desirable texture and flavor to many types of foods, making them more palatable to consumers.

Because of these reasons, many food manufacturers began adding trans fats to their products in the 1950s and 1960s.

At the time, scientists believed that trans fats were a healthier alternative to saturated fats, which were known to raise LDL cholesterol levels.

However, as more research has been conducted on the health effects of trans fats, it has become clear that they are not a safe or healthy ingredient to consume.

How can you avoid trans fats in your diet?

The best way to avoid trans fats in your diet is to limit your consumption of processed and packaged foods.

Many types of snack foods, baked goods, and fried foods contain trans fats, so it’s best to avoid these types of foods as much as possible.

When buying food products, look for the words “partially hydrogenated oil” on the ingredient label. This is an indication that the product contains trans fats, even if the label claims the product is “trans fat-free.”.

In 2015, the FDA determined that trans fats are not generally recognized as safe for human consumption and gave food manufacturers three years to remove trans fats from their products.

As of June 2018, all trans fats are supposed to be removed from American food products, though it’s still important to read the ingredient label to ensure that you are consuming a trans fat-free product.

The bottom line

Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat that are created through a process called hydrogenation.

While small amounts of trans fats can be found naturally in some animal products, the majority of trans fats in the American diet come from processed and packaged foods.

Trans fats are harmful because they raise levels of LDL cholesterol and lower levels of HDL cholesterol, leading to an increased risk of heart disease.

The best way to avoid trans fats is to limit your consumption of processed and packaged foods and to read food labels carefully.