What are Trans Fats.

Trans Fat is an artificially prepared food manufactured in the factory. It is prepared from unsaturated fats by a process called hydrogenation. This makes the Trans Fat more stable, but more hazardous to health. Many states have started banning or enforcing strict rules to reduce the content of Tran Fat in processed foods.  Healthy fats, like unsaturated fats, are always present in liquid state at room temperature, while saturated fats and Trans Fats, the unhealthy fats or the Bad Fats, are present in solid state.  In the previous three posts, we discussed Fats – Types of Fats,   Saturated Fats or Bad Fats and Unsaturated Fats or Good Fats. Reading these posts will help you understand fats, their good and bad effects and how you should choose your fats.

How is Trans Fat Produced.

At room temperature, unsaturated fats are present in liquid state. Trans Fats are prepared from unsaturated oils by the process of hydrogenation. Hydrogen gas is passed through the heated and bubbling unsaturated fat oil, solidifying it. Sometimes, the hydrogen is passed half way and you get a butter like consistency. This is called partial hydrogenation.

The idea of making Trans Fats is to attach every unattached carbon atom of unsaturated fat with hydrogen atoms so that it is not vulnerable to oxidation by the atmospheric oxygen. This enables the Trans Fat product to stay stable at room temperature and thus increase its shelf life.

Compare the chemical structure of unsaturated fats and trans fats given below.

How much Trans Fats You should consume everyday.

Your consumption of trans fats should not exceed 1% of your calorie intake. So if your calorie intake is 2000 calories, your trans fat from foods you eat should not exceed 2 grams.

Know these Trans Fats Facts.

• In a typical super market in the U.S., about 40%  of the food products on the shelf contain Trans Fats.
• The U.S. Food Drug Administration  has begun to advise the manufacturers of processed foods to keep the trans fat content to less than 0.5% per serving.

Trans Fat Foods – Take your unhealthy pick.

Trans Fat Foods sources.

Foods with or containing Trans Fats are typically processed and packed foods. See a few examples of Trans Fats Foods below.

• Sugary Cereals which you eat at breakfast.
• Ice cream.
• Butter.
• Margarine.
• Cakes.
• Biscuits.
• Pies.
• Potato chips.
• Dough nuts.
• Pizzas.
• Sauces.
• Gravy mixes.
• Confectionary products.
• Artificial creamers.
• Fritters.
• Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Bad Health Effects of Trans Fat|Why are Trans Fats Bad.

There is no study  yet, which shows any health benefits of Trans Fats. However, that Trans Fats are bad for your health is an established fact. The health disadvantages of Trans Fats are given below to show the various health disorders trans fat can cause.

• Coronary heart disease.
• Diabetes.
• Cancer.
• Infertility.
• Liver dysfunction.
• Obesity and the various disorders caused by obesity.

It is therefore advisable to always examine the label of the product for Trans Fats content before buying. Many manufacturers and eating places have already drastically reduced the trans fat content of their products. Avoid foods high in Trans Fats.

Related posts:

1. Fats|Types of Fats–good fats and bad fats.
2. Harmful Effects of Fats.
3. Unsaturated Fats|Monounsaturated Fats and Polyunsaturated Fats.
4. Saturated Fats or the Bad Fats.
5. Fats and Fatty Acid Foods in Pregnancy.
6. 17 Health Benefits of Fats.
7. LDL – Low Density Lipoprotein|Bad Fats.