Donut consumption increases the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease

Healthy through the carnival: eat donuts in moderation

Although donuts are available year-round, sweets are especially popular during the carnival season. Experts warn against eating too much. Because the treats contain trans fatty acids and these increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases when consumed high.

Dangerous trans fatty acids

Carnival, carnival, Carnival: In the "fifth season" is celebrated not only often wet and cheerful, but also feasted extensively. Donuts are especially popular with many cheeks. But you should not eat too much of it. Because the sweet treats are not only very high in calories, but are also often full of trans fat. These fats increase the risk of cardiovascular disease when consumed high.

In carnival time, many donuts are consumed. However, experts warn against overconsumption, as the sweet pastry contains trans fatty acids, which can have a negative impact on health. (Image: photocrew / fotolia.com)

Health risk through carnival donuts

Donuts are high in calories and high in fat. Depending on the size, filling and sugar distribution, a donut contains about 200 calories and about ten grams of fat.

The sweet pastry is - as well as donuts and other pastries - fried. It can form trans fatty acids, the consumption of which has a negative effect on health.

A high intake of trans fatty acids increases LDL cholesterol in the blood, which increases the risk of lipid metabolism disorders and coronary heart disease.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), five grams of trans fat per day can increase the risk of a heart attack by 23 percent.

In addition, studies have shown that these fats are responsible for high blood pressure, overweight or obesity and diabetes.

All reasons why trans fats are banned in the US.

Recommendation of the German Nutrition Society

The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends consuming as little trans fat as possible, preferably less than one percent of the dietary energy. In adults, this is no more than two to three grams per day.

As the DGE explains on their website, trans fatty acids are produced by both natural and food-technological processes.

They develop, inter alia, in the incomplete curing of vegetable oils or their strong heating.

Thus, trans fatty acids not only get into numerous foods such as margarine and frying fat, but also in products made with it such as fried foods, puff pastry, ready meals such as pizzas, potato chips or other snack foods.

No legal regulation

In Germany, trans fatty acids must be declared only on foods that are subject to the dietary regulation.

For other foods, consumers are most likely to look at the ingredients list: indications such as "contains hydrogenated fats" indicate a trans fatty acid content.

In what quantities, however, is not apparent. With unpacked it is hard to find out whether trans-fatty acids are even contained.

Although the content of trans-fatty acids of food-grade origin in food has been decreasing since 2012 on the German market, fats with high levels of trans-fatty acids are sometimes used in the production of bakery products.

There is no legal regulation in Europe so far. (Ad)