Turning liquid oil into solid spread by adding hydrogen makes a harmful fat that hurts your heart.
Scientific Claim
Industrial hydrogenation of vegetable oils generates trans fatty acids, which are causally linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysfunction.
Original Statement
“During hydrogenation, the oil is heated to high temperatures and then hydrogen gas is forced through it using a metal catalyst. Typically, this catalyst is nickel. This process forcibly changes the molecular structure of the fat to make it solidify. But here's the problem. This process creates something called trans fats. Trans fats are widely considered to be the single worst type of fat someone can consume.”
Context Details
Domain
cardiology
Population
human
Subject
industrial hydrogenation of vegetable oils
Action
generates trans fatty acids
Target
cardiovascular and metabolic health
Intervention Details
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (5)
This study found that after a new law banned harmful oils used in processed foods, those oils disappeared from store products. Since those oils were the main source of bad trans fats linked to heart disease, this supports the claim that they’re dangerous and should be removed.
Trans Fatty Acids Induce Vascular Inflammation and Reduce Vascular Nitric Oxide Production in Endothelial Cells
This study found that unhealthy fats made by processing vegetable oils cause blood vessel cells to become inflamed and lose their ability to relax, which can lead to heart disease—exactly what the claim says.
This study says that the artificial fats made when factories turn vegetable oils into solid fats (like in fried snacks and baked goods) cause heart disease and liver problems, which matches exactly what the claim says.
This study looked at natural trans fats from cows, not the artificial ones made in factories. But it found that only the factory-made ones are linked to heart disease, which means the claim about industrial hydrogenation being harmful is correct.
[Trans fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid in food: origin and biological properties].
This study says that when factories change vegetable oils to make them solid (like in margarine), they create bad fats called trans fats that can hurt your heart—exactly what the claim says.
Contradicting (1)
Plasma Industrial and Ruminant Trans Fatty Acids and Incident Type 2 Diabetes in the EPIC-Potsdam Cohort
This study looked at whether certain fats in the blood from processed foods are linked to diabetes, not heart disease — so it doesn’t prove or disprove the claim about heart problems from hydrogenated oils.