The use of Trans fat in the processed foods It is prohibited and it is already official. Just as you read it! He Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF), recently published a decree prohibiting partially hydrogenated oils in food and non-alcoholic beverages. Keep reading and discover What are trans fats: types, foods and the damage they cause to health.
A few days ago, the Chamber of Deputies published an opinion adding to the Chapter II of the General Health Lawwhich prohibits food and non-alcoholic beverages from containing partially hydrogenated oilsbetter known as Trans fat; the decree is expected to enter into force in September 2023.
“Los edible oils and fatsas well as food and non-alcoholic beverages, may not contain, in their presentation for sale to the public, partially hydrogenated oilsknown as Trans fatwhich have been added during the industrial manufacturing process”, reads the new article 216 Bis of the DOF.
What are trans fats: types, foods and damage to health / Photo: iStock
What are trans fats?
Las Trans fat are a kind of dietary fatthe problem is that of all types of fatsThese are the worst for health. According to specialists from the Mayo Clinic Medical Institute, eating a diet rich in trans fats increases the risk of developing heart diseases because they raise ‘bad’ cholesterol and lower ‘good’ cholesterol.
To give you a clearer idea, the Trans fat they are so unhealthy that the Food and Drug Administration in the United States (FDA), has prohibited food manufacturers from adding artificial trans fats to food and drinks, since by contributing to the plaque buildup in the arteries increases the risk of causing a heart attack.
What are trans fats: types, foods and damage to health / Photo: iStock
What are the types of trans fats?
There are two main types of trans fats las ruminant trans fats and the industrial trans fats. The first are those that are found naturally in some foods, such as meat or dairy products, the difference is that this type of fat is not harmful to health.
On the other hand, the industrial trans fats that are generated by improving the sensory properties of food or even by processing vegetable oils with unsaturated fatty acidsthose yes are risky for the health when representing up to 60 percent of the total fat of the foods that we consume.
What are trans fats: types, foods and damage to health / Photo: iStock
How are industrial trans fats formed?
exist three processes main contributors to the development of industrial trans fatsincluding partial hydrogenation, refining and cooking of food at high temperatures, for example, when frying fritters.
How do trans fats affect health?
In addition to being related to the risk of developing coronary diseases o and cerebrovascular accident, las trans fats affect health by promoting the appearance of chronic diseasessuch as type 2 diabetes, as well as some types of cancer.
Las Trans fat have unhealthy effects on triglycerides, they make platelets stickier than usual and therefore more likely to form artery-clogging clots in the heart, brain and other parts of the body.
What are trans fats: types, foods and damage to health / Photo: iStock
On the other hand, the Trans fat increase the obesity risk, insulin resistance and contribute to inflammation in the body, which is why it is recommended to limit the intake of foods rich in unhealthy fats.
Although the food industry has considerably reduced the use of trans fat in recent years, the truth is that this type of fat can still be found in processed foodsespecially in any fried food, in shortening, stick margarine, refrigerated dough, cakes, pies or baked cookies.
What foods contain trans fat?
Las Trans fat are found in many processed foods and packaged in cookies, pies, cakes, shortbread, doughnuts, crackers, frozen foods, pizzas, ice cream, frozen yogurt, snack foods, fast food, and even cream substitutes.
What are trans fats: types, foods and damage to health / Photo: iStock
As you can see, there are many foods that can be a temptation for us, the problem is that consuming them in excess can affect our health. The Trans fat are not healthy, it is estimated that they cause around 500 thousand premature deaths annually due to coronary heart disease.
now that you know What are trans fats, what are the types, how they affect health and what foods they are in, check the food label before buying it, something as simple as that can make all the difference. Take care of yourself!
