In case you needed yet another reason to avoid highly processed foods… Trans fats—and their artificially saturated version, hydrogenated fats—are widespread processed-food additives that lower the cost of foods and increase shelf life. They are well-known heart-cloggers, and have been linked to today’s biggest diseases and disorders: diabetes, obesity, infertility, cancer, depression and more. I have just now heard of a lovely new connection: trans fats hasten mental decline. Check out Rachel Zimmerman’s overview for details. There is a simple way to avoid eating trans fats or serving them to your loved ones: cook with whole foods whenever possible, and avoid prepackaged foodstuff with lengthy (and unintelligible) ingredient lists.
