Consumers get a spreadable, useable product, but they also may be getting extra fat to clog their arteries. Because some scientists believe that trans fatty acids may act the same in the body as saturated fat, their presence could mean a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in America.
A diet too high in saturated fat is one of the many risk factors for heart disease. Other fats should come from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils in similar proportions. Fish oils, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, also have been shown to be beneficial to the heart. As more information becomes available about the health implications of consuming too much fat, the challenge becomes deciding what fats to eat and what fats to avoid. Up to now, the food industry has not known a lot about trans fatty acids.