What is the difference between trans fat and saturated fat?

Answer 1

The difference between these two fats have to do with their molecular structure, saturated fat acids are called so due to the fact that their hydrocarbon chains, fat molecules look like a tadpole with three "tails" or hydrocarbon chains, are saturated with hydrogen atoms. Trans fat is an unsaturated fat meaning that the hydrocarbon chains are not saturated with hydrogen atoms as they are double bonded to one another where the hydrogen atoms would be on a saturated fat. Trans fats do not typically occur naturally, they are specially made so that they have high melting points making them useful for baking, a common moniker is partially hydrogenated oil. Trans fat is public health enemy # 1 because it will actually harden in your body. When we hear about clogged arteries, trans fat is the biggest culprit. Saturated fat is a bad fat that comes from animal sources and should be avoided. both fats lower HDL "good" and raise LDL "bad" cholesterol. Unsaturated fats come from plant sources and should be your main source of fat along with omega-3s and 6s from fish.