Even though the calorie count may be the same, some fats may make you fatter. Researchers from Wake Forest found that monkeys that were fed trans-fatty acids gained 30% more fat around their waists than those eating different fats containing the same amount of calories. It is already known that trans-fats cause an increase in bad cholesterol and heart disease but it appears that the may also promote obesity.
At the end of this six year study, the monkeys fed trans-fats also had higher blood glucose levels and were much more insulin resistant suggesting that they were on their way to developing diabetes.
Trans-fats are created by adding hydrogen to food oils and because they have a long shelf life and consistency they are popular in the food industry. They are commonly found in commercial baked, deep-fried, snack and fast foods.
Some companies have began to phase out trans-fats in the US and Canada since it is now required that trans-fat content be listed on labels and in Denmark they are banned from all processed foods. But they can still be regularly found in many commercial products and fast foods.
[Read more at www.nature.com]
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