trans fat

noun

variants or trans-fat

ˈtran(t)s-ˈfat 

ˈtranz-

plural trans fats or trans-fats

: an unsaturated fat that contains a trans-fatty acid molecule which has a trans arrangement of double bonds in its hydrocarbon chain and that either occurs naturally in the meat and milk of ruminant animals (such as cows and sheep) or is manufactured by hydrogenating vegetable oil to create a fat (such as margarine or shortening) that is solid at room temperature

The trans fats to watch for are the ones artificially produced and placed in prepackaged foods or commercially prepared deep-fried foods. These trans fats are introduced during cooking or during the manufacturing process to help extend a product's shelf life. They also help some foods taste more satisfying.

—Jennifer Moll

… if you are not minding your intake of another harmful fat called trans-fat, you might still be increasing your risk of heart disease. Indeed, whereas saturated fat raises the body's level of bad "LDL" cholesterol, trans-fat packs a double whammy by also reducing the good "HDL" cholesterol that protects against heart disease …

—Anne Tergesen

compare saturated fat

Examples of trans fat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is because frying turns PUFA into trans fats and other harmful compounds (such as lipid oxidation products), which aren't good for your health. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 14 Oct. 2024

Oils often get a bad rap because of their dense caloric value as some contain trans fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2024

Trans Fats For example, repeatedly heating canola oil, a common practice in cooking methods like deep-frying, can lead to the formation of harmful compounds, including trans fats, which have been shown to negatively affect overall health and increase heart disease risk. —Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 10 July 2024

Meanwhile, international initiatives to reduce the intake of alcohol, trans fats, and salt should focus for the time being on existing programs and partnerships with suppliers and retailers designed to make their beverages and food healthier. —Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2012

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

trans fat

noun

variants or trans-fat

: an unsaturated fat that contains a trans-fatty acid molecule which has a trans arrangement of double bonds in its hydrocarbon chain and that either occurs naturally in the meat and milk of ruminant animals (such as cows or sheep) or is manufactured by hydrogenating vegetable oil to create a fat (such as margarine or shortening) that is solid at room temperature

Consumption of red meat and trans fats is associated with an increased risk of laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis …

—Linda C. Guidice, The New England Journal of Medicine

Trans fat is created when manufacturers partially hydrogenate liquid oils to make them more solid, more stable, and less greasy-tasting.

—Nutrition Action Health Letter

compare saturated fat