For years now, we have been hearing about the health risks associated with eating trans fats. Trans fats are in much of the processed foods we eat regularly. There have been warnings on the dangers of trans fats but for the most part, people don’t seem to get alarmed enough to take a stand. Now with the conclusions found in a recent study, there is even more proof that trans fats are dangerous.
In a recent study, the data collected from an experiment conducted between 2007 and 2011 showed some interesting results. The experiment involved 11 New York State urban counties in which the trans fats was restricted in public eateries. These eateries included restaurants, bakeries, cafeterias, park concessions, and senior meal programs.
After 3 or more years following the implementation of the restrictions it was learned that there had been 6.2 percent fewer hospital admissions for cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in the counties involved with the restrictions when compared to urban counties that didn’t have the restrictions.
Trans fats are more commonly listed on labels as “partially hydrogenated oil or vegetable shortening”. They are most commonly found in deep fried fast foods, baked goods, crackers, chips, and margarine. The effects of eating too much trans fat are an increase in dangerous LDL cholesterol and a lowering of protective HDL cholesterol. These combined effects contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease among other things.
The battle against trans fats continues and in June of 2015 the FDA removed artificial trans fats from its “Generally Recognized as Safe” which will lead to the banning of trans fats from the U.S. food supply by June 2018.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease remains the leading cause of death in both men and women in the U.S.
