Trans fats in fast food make you aggressive

Fats in fast food make people aggressive

07/09/2012

Fast food is irritable, impatient and aggressive due to the high proportion of so-called trans fatty acids. US researchers led by Prof. Beatrice Golomb of the University of California at San Diego have found that increased consumption of trans fat „with negative behaviors like impatience or open aggression“ is connected, so the current message from the US university.

The trans fatty acids (fatty acids with special carbon double bonds), which are also present in margarine or baked goods, seem to have an extremely far-reaching effect on the human mind. The US scientists around Beatrice Golomb found that the consumption of trans fatty acids increases the tendency to impatient and aggressive behavior. If confirmed, this would be another serious argument against the consumption of unhealthy foods high in trans fats. Because not only the consumers of trans fat are impaired, but their sometimes openly aggressive behavior also affects their fellow human beings, explained Prof. Golomb and colleagues.

Negative health consequences of trans fatty acids
For a long time, the negative health consequences of the consumption of so-called trans fats have been discussed, but so far the focus has been on the physical effects of these fatty acids, which are mainly found in margarine, baked goods and fast foods. Excessive consumption of trans fatty acids has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack. The cholesterol level increases significantly by the consumption of trans fatty acids. On the other hand, the researchers led by Prof. Beatrice Golomb have examined the effects of trans fatty acids on the behavior of consumers on the basis of 1,000 volunteer volunteers, and discovered astonishingly clear effects.

Trans fats make you more aggressive than alcohol
In the study, the researchers identified the impact of aggression on the subjects' life history, conflict tactics and self-assessment of impatience and irritability. There were also outbreaks „open aggression“ detected. Subsequently, the results of the survey were compared with the consumption of trans fatty acids. In the analysis, the researchers also considered other factors, such as gender, age, education and consumption of alcohol or tobacco, which may influence aggressiveness. The evaluation showed that with a high consumption of trans fatty acids the impatience, irritability and aggression of the subjects increased. The effect on trans fatty acids is even stronger than on alcohol, according to Prof. Golomb and colleagues.

Avoid foods high in trans fatty acids
Confirm the results of the US researchers, this is another reason, „Avoid trans fatty acids or use them in foods at institutions such as schools and prisons“ not to use, report the US researchers. Because „The harmful effects of trans fatty acids can extend beyond the person and also affect others“, Golomb and colleagues. The food manufacturers should also take the results of the US scientists to heart and reduce the future content of trans fatty acids in their food. Although these artificially hydrogenated fats are cheaper than other fats, but threaten significant negative consequences. Not without reason the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends to consume as few trans fatty acids as possible. The fact that consumer behavior is also affected by this clearly illustrates the far-reaching significance of this recommendation. (Fp)

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Image: Thommy Weiss