Trans Fats

Definition

Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat that can increase the risk of heart disease. They are often found in processed foods.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Trans fats, or trans-unsaturated fatty acids, are unsaturated fats that have been hydrogenated, altering their chemical structure to be more solid at room temperature. They are commonly used in processed foods to improve texture and shelf life but are known to raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while lowering HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Benefits

Examples

• Margarine
• Fried foods
• Baked goods such as cakes and cookies
• Microwave popcorn
• Snack foods like chips

Additional Information

• knownIssues: Consuming trans fats can lead to increased risk of heart disease, inflammation, insulin resistance, and other health problems.

Related Terms

• Saturated Fats
• Unsaturated Fats
• Cholesterol
• Hydrogenation

References

• Trans Fat and Cardiovascular Disease
• WHO calls for action to eliminate industrially-produced trans-fatty acids