What are Trans fats? Trans fats or trans fatty acids are man-made or processed fats, which are made from a liquid oil. When you add hydrogen to liquid vegetable oil and then add pressure, the result is a stiffer fat and the stiffer and harder fats are, the more they clog up your arteries. Trans fats are also called hydrogenated fats. Why are they bad for you? Trans fats pose a higher risk of heart disease than saturated fats, which were once believed to be the worst kind of fats. While it is true that saturated fats -- found in butter, cheese, beef, coconut and palm oil -- raise total cholesterol levels, trans fats go a step further. Trans fats not only raise total cholesterol levels, they also deplete good cholesterol (HDL), which helps protect against heart disease. No human body has any need for these man-made fats. Why have trans fats been used in products? Food manufacturers started putting them in products because they allow for a longer shelf life. Crackers, for example, can stay on the shelf and stay crispy for years in part because of the hydrogenated fats in them.
