Hidden Dangers- Hydrogenated Oils
Wait! Keep reading, the story about trans-fats is not over! Even though labeling requirements have helped, these are still sneaking into our foods. The good news is that, according to a recent study published by the Journal of the American Heart Association, the amount of trans-fats we consume has dropped significantly in the last 30 years. However, our goal must be NO trans-fats added to our foods.*
During recent travel we noticed how easy it was for people to unknowingly make a dangerous health choice when they reached for “cream” for their tea or coffee. Sitting right next to the half and half and milk was a larger container of something labeled “creamer.” Without a strong magnifying glass, it was impossible to read what was in the package. The label of the “creamer” featured
a tranquil picture of a cow and the name of the “dairy” corporation. But the second ingredient (after water) was hydrogenated oils. Make no mistake, this is neither “dairy” nor “cream.” Any label with the word “hydrogenated oil” means trans-fats.
Remember, trans-fats have been shown to increase the risk of heart attack and cause inflammation throughout the body, setting it up for diseases of aging. These oils show up in packaged foods such as peanut butter, microwave popcorn, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereals, frozen foods like pizza, tortillas, granola bars, and even some beloved margarine brands (recall the lovely TV commercial jingle, “Everything’s better with …?”). Most of the coffee creamers in your grocery, flavored or plain, are full of these dangerous oils.
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To your health,
Robert Pendergrast, MD, MPH
Aiken Augusta Holistic Health
www.aikenaugsutaholistichealth.com
803-426-1421