Partially hydrogenated oil, also known as trans fat, is a dangerous ingredient that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Many food manufacturers are replacing it with healthier alternatives. It’s important to distinguish between good and bad fats and to avoid any oil with the word “hydrogenated” in the label. Butter contains some trans fats but is considered less harmful than margarine made from hydrogenated oil. Monounsaturated fats are the healthiest option.
Partially hydrogenated oil is now often known by the more common name of trans fat. The oil undergoes a process where hydrogen is added, which creates solidification up to a certain amount. This makes it a desirable substitute for things like butter, which are more expensive and have a tendency to go rancid in packaged foods. For a long time, it was common to find foods chock-full of trans fats because consumers seemed to prefer them. The situation is changing rapidly due to the health risks they pose, and many large-scale food manufacturers are rushing to replace trans fats with other ingredients.
There is undeniably a danger to consuming partially hydrogenated oil of any kind. It has been shown to greatly increase the risks for some forms of cardiovascular disease. The trans fats in partially hydrogenated oil raise “bad” cholesterol, or low-density lipoproteins. This would be bad enough, but there’s also evidence that trans fats lower “good” cholesterol, or high-density lipoproteins. Increases of this nature can cause plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) in the arteries, which in turn can increase the risk of stroke.
Another of the dangers of partially hydrogenated oil is that it corresponds to a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes. This condition can damage the kidneys, eyes and heart. There are some treatments that can delay the damage, but one has to wonder why people would risk it when they know what to avoid, although certainly there are other things that increase the risk for this disease as well.
You need to understand that there is a huge distinction between good fats and bad fats. Although partially hydrogenated oil is now considered one of the most dangerous products to consume, that doesn’t mean all fats are bad. Good polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats can actually confer health when used in reasonable amounts. Sometimes people have to be careful when reading labels, and be certain that any oil does not have the word “hydrogenated” associated with it.
Interestingly, there is also a difference in trans fats. Butter, for example, contains some trans fats, but these have not been shown to pose the same risks as partially hydrogenated oil. The hydrogenation process is thought to be particularly harmful, and most people would be better off eating a simple saturated fat like butter than if they consumed things like margarine made from hydrogenated oil. Of course it makes more sense to stick to eating mostly monounsaturated fats.
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