Final answer:
By the 1990s, research established that trans fats are particularly harmful to health, increasing LDL and decreasing HDL cholesterol levels, thereby contributing to heart disease risk. The FDA's regulations on trans fat labeling and changes in the food industry reflect the consensus on these findings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early 1990s marked a significant shift in understanding the health implications of trans fats. It was confirmed that trans fats negatively affect cholesterol levels by increasing Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) and decreasing High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol). These findings made trans fats a focal point in discussions about dietary health and heart disease prevention. The Food and Drug Administration's 2003 regulation requiring the listing of trans fats on food labels corroborates the harmful effects trans fats have on heart health, suggesting their negative role in increasing the risk of coronary heart disease.
Another reliable source confirms the detrimental health effects of trans fats. Recent studies have associated the consumption of trans fats with higher LDL cholesterol levels and a resultant potential increase in plaque deposition in arteries leading to heart disease. The adjustment in fast-food restaurants' practices and mandated food labeling demonstrates the scientific community's consensus on the dangers of trans fats. Saturated fats are also recognized for their role in increasing blood cholesterol, but do not affect HDL levels, marking a critical difference between the two types of fats.