Trans fatty acids: everything you need to know – even the law protects margarine consumers

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 05. 22. 11:26

The stereotype still often arises that margarines contain a large amount of harmful trans fatty acids, so their consumption is not recommended. However, this is a misconception that can be easily disproved either by legislation in force in our country or by mapping the production processes. In addition, the consumption of margarine can have many beneficial effects, since with this food we also introduce essential, indispensable fatty acids and vitamins into our bodies. So it’s time to debunk the trans fatty acid myths about margarines and see why you shouldn’t believe the stereotypes.

In a biological approach, trans fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids that adversely affect the body’s cholesterol balance. These compounds are associated with heart disease, obesity and blood sugar problems due to their negative physiological effects. However, the misconception that margarines contain a large amount of harmful trans fatty acids is based on the fact, which has now been overcome, that spreadability was achieved by hardening and solidifying liquid oils. This actually meant the partial hydrogenation of the aforementioned oils, as part of which process a large amount of trans fatty acids was produced. However, it is also important to know that it is essentially impossible to eliminate trans fatty acids from our everyday diet, since they can be found in small amounts even in cold-pressed olive oil, and they can also be produced during the preparation of food under the influence of high heat.