Question

Olestra, a synthetic fat used to make potato chips, _____________

a. Contains three fatty acid in each molecule
b. Can cause people to gain weight
c. Can be digested by humans
d. Has no side effect
e. Contains more than three fatty acids in each molecule

Answer 1

Olestra contains more than three fatty acids per molecule, making it non-digestible by humans and not likely to cause weight gain, but it may have side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort.

Step-by-step explanation:

Olestra is a synthetic fat used in some processed foods. Unlike natural fats, which typically contain three fatty acids per molecule, Olestra is known for containing more than three fatty acids per molecule. This structure makes it non-digestible by humans, meaning that it can pass through the digestive system without being broken down, which theoretically could prevent weight gain caused by dietary fats. However, Olestra may have side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort and decreased absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. It's worth noting that trans fats, which are different from Olestra, are produced by the hydrogenation of oils and have been linked to negative health effects, including an increase in levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or 'bad' cholesterol.

Answer 2

e. Contains more than three fatty acids in each molecule

Step-by-step explanation:

Olestra uses sucrose as the backbone in place of glycerol, and it contains up to eight fatty acids. This synthetic fat is a mixture of hexa-, -hepta, and -octa-esters of sucrose with various long chain fatty acids. All these components make Olestra something very unhealthy for our body as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract undigested without any nutritive value to our diet.