Hydrogenation is a process that adds hydrogen to liquid fats to saturate them, so that they have a longer shelf life. This process can involve fully hydrogenating an oil, which makes the end product, such as a stick of butter, harder. Oils can also be partially hydrogenated, which creates a creamier product such as soft butter spreads. However partial hydrogenation creates a by product called trans fat, full hydrogenation does not. Partially hydrogenated oils are added to many products such as cookies, crackers and baked goods and are used in restaurants to prepare food. If you are looking to eat a healthier diet, it is important to understand the negative health effects of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Raise Bad Cholesterol Levels
Trans fats created during partial hydrogenation are considered the worse kind of fat because they are known to increase low-density lipoprotein or LDL. When LDL levels get too high, plaque starts to build up along artery walls. This can contribute to coronary artery disease, which increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
It is important to read food labels and look for the words partially hydrogenated, because in the U.S. if a food has less than 0.5g of trans fat per serving, it can claim to have no trans fat per serving. However, multiple servings of this food may actually mean that the body is getting trans fat.
Lowers Good Cholesterol Levels
Trans fats have also been found to decrease high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, which is considered the good kind of cholesterol. HDL removes LDL cholesterol from the body. The combination of high LDL levels and low HDL levels raise the risk of heart disease even further.
Along with baked goods and snacks, fried foods tend to be high in trans fat. It is important to stay away from products with partially hydrogenated oil as well as products with fully hydrogenated products, which contain saturated fats that can also cause high LDL cholesterol levels.
Increases Risk of Heart Disease in Diabetics
High blood sugar levels that are not well controlled can eventually damage the blood vessels, which raises the risk of heart disease. Diabetics need to watch carbohydrate intake in order to control blood glucose levels, but they also need to watch unhealthy fat consumption.
High cholesterol levels caused by eating trans fat can make the risk even higher for diabetics, so trans fat should be eliminated from the diet. To make healthier choices, look for products that use liquid oil as an ingredient.
Member Comments