How are polyunsaturated fatty acids and partially hydrogenated fats related ?Examples? Healthiest ?!
Answers:
A lipid (fat) is called a triglyceride!. The name comes from the fact that it is 3 fatty acids bonded to a glycerol molecule!.
The type of fat that you end up with depends on the fatty acids!. Think of the acid as a chain, with bonding points on the sides!. If all of the bonding points contain a hydrogen, the fatty acid is called "saturated"!. If one point is open, then its called "monounsaturated"!. If there are more than one open bonding points, then its called a "polyunsaturated" fatty acid!.
A few decades ago, scientists were trying to find a healthier alternative to butter!. So they took a polyunsaturated fat and added hydrogens to them artificially!. What they ended up making was a trans-fatty acid!.
These were recently found to be much, MUCH, worse for you than the saturated fats in butter!.
So the health factor for fats is as follows:
Most healthy - polyunsaturated fat (which includes the Omega-3 and Omega 6 fatty acids!.)
Next most - Monounsaturated fat
Next - Saturated fats
Absolute Worst Fats For You - Trans fats
Sources for these:
Poly's- Many nut oils, cold-pressed oils such as extra virgin olive, linseed, and flax seed!. Have a great flavor raw, but low smoke point!.
Mono's- Many frying oils, such as Peanut, Canola, Vegetable, Sunflower, Safflower, etc!. Have a very neutral flavor and a high smoke point!.
Saturated- Butter, meat!. Not nearly as bad for you as once thought!. Almost always solid at room temperature, with a few exceptions!.
Trans fats- Partially hydrogenated oils, or fully hydrogenated oils!. If the ingredients list either of these, its best to avoid when possible!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
The type of fat that you end up with depends on the fatty acids!. Think of the acid as a chain, with bonding points on the sides!. If all of the bonding points contain a hydrogen, the fatty acid is called "saturated"!. If one point is open, then its called "monounsaturated"!. If there are more than one open bonding points, then its called a "polyunsaturated" fatty acid!.
A few decades ago, scientists were trying to find a healthier alternative to butter!. So they took a polyunsaturated fat and added hydrogens to them artificially!. What they ended up making was a trans-fatty acid!.
These were recently found to be much, MUCH, worse for you than the saturated fats in butter!.
So the health factor for fats is as follows:
Most healthy - polyunsaturated fat (which includes the Omega-3 and Omega 6 fatty acids!.)
Next most - Monounsaturated fat
Next - Saturated fats
Absolute Worst Fats For You - Trans fats
Sources for these:
Poly's- Many nut oils, cold-pressed oils such as extra virgin olive, linseed, and flax seed!. Have a great flavor raw, but low smoke point!.
Mono's- Many frying oils, such as Peanut, Canola, Vegetable, Sunflower, Safflower, etc!. Have a very neutral flavor and a high smoke point!.
Saturated- Butter, meat!. Not nearly as bad for you as once thought!. Almost always solid at room temperature, with a few exceptions!.
Trans fats- Partially hydrogenated oils, or fully hydrogenated oils!. If the ingredients list either of these, its best to avoid when possible!.Www@FoodAQ@Com