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Trans-fatty acids In Donuts or French fries lurk many hidden disease-makers
It has long been known that unsaturated fatty acids damage your health. They have a negative effect on the level of cholesterol and thus promote the development of arteriosclerosis and increase the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Nevertheless, there are no limits in Germany.
Trans fatty acids endanger health
Trans fat is an everyday health hazard. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), five grams a 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, obesity and obesity and diabetes. You can lurk in a variety of foods, such as donuts, croissants or fries, but many consumers are unaware of where the health-damaging fatty acids hide. The European Union has long been debating how trans fatty acids can be reduced. Only a few countries have so far decided on fixed maximum quantities. Germany is not among them.
Tasty but unhealthy: Trans fats are often responsible for heart disease. Picture: photo 5000 - fotolia On the other side of the Atlantic one is much further. Transfats are banned in the US. Within three years, the fats from food have to disappear there. The Internet portal "derwesten.de" has a contribution to the topic of various experts from Germany to speak.
Consumers can not recognize hidden fats
"Trans fatty acids are undesirable components of our diet," said Martina Junk, spokeswoman for the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety. They can increase the level of (bad) LDL cholesterol while lowering the level of (good) HDL cholesterol. The result may be clogged blood vessels and heart attack. Trans fats are artificially hydrogenated fats that are produced, among other things, in the industrial hardening of oils. "For example, puff pastry, fried foods, potato chips or other snacks often contain trans fatty acids," said Isabelle Keller of the German Nutrition Society (DGE). In addition, the risky fats can hide in ready meals and bag soups. Although consumers can not tell if and how many trans fatty acids are in their food, they do not need to be labeled on food packaging in this country.
One in ten Germans consumes too much trans fat
"Anyone who has high blood lipid levels or cardiovascular problems should be careful," explained Professor Christian Weber, chief physician in the field of cardiology at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. But even "a significant proportion of young people in particular consumes more trans-fatty acids than recommended," says the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection. Especially young men between 14 and 34 belong to the risk group, as a study by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in 2013 showed. Thus, the peak of some study participants was 19 grams of trans fat per day. As safe for men is a value of about 2.6 grams per day. On average, two women and 1.4 grams are considered safe for women. About ten percent of Germans consume the study, according to more trans fatty acids than recommended.
USA is one step ahead
In the US, the most consistent step has been taken so far. As stated in the introduction, manufacturers now have three years to convert their products. Since 2006, they have been required to mark the trans fat content on the packaging. Denmark is a pioneer in the EU Member States. In 2003, it was the first country to introduce a maximum limit of two grams of trans fat per 100 grams for food. Also in Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, comparable maximum levels for the unhealthy fats were set by law.
In Germany, there are still no legally regulated maximum levels for trans-fatty acids. Only baby food and olive oil are subject to limit values set by the EU. Although the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture launched an initiative with the food industry to minimize the harmful fats. However, the jointly drafted guidelines are not binding for food sold in Germany. According to Professor Weber, mandatory maximum quantities would make sense: "In my view, there is a need. That would be helpful for those who are not sure what types of fats are unhealthy and what foods they contain. "(Ad)