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What Are Hydrogenated Oils?

A man-made food ingredient, hydrogenated oils have existed since the early 20th century, according to the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC). Nearly a century later, these oils are now a food industry staple. From stick margarines in the dairy aisle to French fries at the diner, hydrogenated oils make their way into the shopping carts and diets of many consumers.

  1. About Hydrogenated Oils

    • Hydrogenation refers to the hardening of oils by introducing hydrogen ions, according to the IFIC. The results of this process are hydrogenated oils. Sometimes manufacturers only partially harden oils, creating partially-hydrogenated oils. Hydrogenated oils contribute to both the texture of food and its stability. Examples of the properties of hydrogenated oils can be found in the flakiness of pastry and the hardness of stick margarine.

    Health Effects

    • Hydrogenated oils are saturated fats. According to the American Heart Association, saturated fats may contribute to heart disease by increasing cholesterol levels. Likewise, partially-hydrogenated fats may also contribute to heart disease. Partially-hydrogenated fats may have a type of fat called trans-fatty acids. Trans-fatty acids not only negatively influence cholesterol levels but also increase triglyceride levels and increase inflammation, according to MayoClinic.com. High triglyceride levels may increase the risk of hardened arteries, which may increase the risk of strokes, diabetes and heart diseases. Increased inflammation affects the heart as well. Excess inflammation may damage the heart's vessels.

    Dietary Suggestions

    • The American Heart Association suggests that only 7 percent of daily calories come from saturated fats like hydrogenated oils. The trans-fatty acids found in partially-hydrogenated oils should be limited to less than 1 percent of daily calories, according to the AHA. For a person on a 2,000-calorie diet, this translates to around 2 grams of trans-fatty acids and 16 grams of saturated fat.

    Foods with Hydrogenated Oils

    • Food labels state the amount of saturated fat and trans-fatty acids contained for each serving of food. Ingredients that are labeled hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated may also contain trans-fatty acids. According to Harvard Medical School, snack foods, processed foods and commercially-prepared baked goods can contain trans-fatty acids. Foods with hydrogenated oils, however, aren't limited to the grocery aisle. Fast food places may be more likely to prepare foods with partially-hydrogenated oils. Unfortunately, these restaurants don't have to identify the amount of trans-fatty acids in their foods. To avoid consuming excess trans-fatty acids, Harvard Medical School suggests that consumers seek more information about how their food is prepared.

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