Of all the cautions out on particular foods and how bad various products can be for us, one in particular has caught my attention. That one is hydrogenated oil, from which comes trans fats and margarine.
Hydrogenation is the process of heating an oil and passing hydrogen bubbles through it. The fatty acids in the oil then latch onto some of the hydrogen, making it denser. If it was fully hydrogenated, it would become a solid fat, but by stopping partially through the process, a semi-solid is created that has a consistency like butter.
What are the benefits to hydrogenated oils? The process to create hydrogenated oils is cheaper than producing natural butter. Some people claim that margarine gives a lighter texture in baking. The hydrogenation process creates a higher melting point and also gives the product a longer shelf-life.
What are the health-risks to hydrogenated oils? The high-heat process that transforms the oil into a thick buttery substance has actually altered its chemical bonds. Although research is still determining all its effects, studies have shown that there are possible dangers associated with the oils. Some scientists think that the body is unable to metabolize and dispose of the oils, making them permanently clogging the insides. Consumption of the oils is believed to elevate the risk for coronary heart disease. Other possible effects are Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, liver dysfunction, and infertility.
My husband and I do try to avoid bringing hydrogenated oils into our home, but every once in a while we forget to read a label, or we really long for a particular snack that has it. Food companies are slowly starting to move away from using hydrogenated oils, but it is not easy to avoid it entirely. My goal is to try to avoid it, but provide myself a little wiggle room. I just don’t want to wiggle too much.
One source I read says that during the last stages of refining, the oil is distilled by steam, which removes its odor. Apparently, hydrogenated oil is much like rancid butter, and reportedly smells even worse. I wonder if we could actually smell what it truly is, would that fast food fried in gallons of hydrogenated oil be as appealing? Perhaps we should ask the processing plants to skip that step for the good of us all.
I'm with you on this one...I try to read labels as much as possible, or as often as I remember, and I try to avoid things with p.h.o, and h.f.c.s. (high fructose corn syrup) and other unnatural ingredients.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, it is tough, when bad foods taste so yummy. I'm guilty of giving in to the ease of convenience, and using the p.h.o. creamer at work, because it's there, and it's free. Or hitting up the vending machine for a quick snack when I don't have time for lunch. Eating often falls under the convenience and cost factor.
Sometimes it seems that it's easier, faster, and cheaper to eat, or "be" unhealthy, and can be more difficult, time consuming, and costly to eat, or "be" healthy.
But one thing is for sure, it's a lot cheaper to live healthy day to day now, then it would be to pay for all the meds, and medical bills later in life.
Final thought: Ultimately, it's in God's hands, but be wise, or at least use common sense, and everything in moderation.
God Bless! =)