Question

Eating a diet high in trans fatty acids has been shown to increase circulating levels of LDL. Why do food manufacturers use trans fatty acids like partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in packaged and processed foods?

A) Enhance flavor and aroma
B) Increase shelf life
C) Improve texture
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Answer 1

Food manufacturers use trans fatty acids to enhance flavor, increase shelf life, and improve texture of foods despite their health risks, which include increasing LDL cholesterol.

Step-by-step explanation:

Food manufacturers use trans fatty acids like partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in packaged and processed foods for multiple reasons, including to enhance flavor and aroma, increase shelf life, and improve texture. These artificially hydrogenated trans fats are created from unsaturated fatty acids and have been shown to increase levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which can contribute to plaque deposition in the arteries and result in heart disease. Despite these health risks, the use of trans fats has been prevalent in the industry due to their cost-effectiveness and impact on the sensory properties of foods.