Does beef contain trans fatty acids?
Recently, a great deal of attention has been focused on health risks associated with trans fatty acids. In terms of both structure and function, the differences between man-made and naturally occurring trans fatty acids result in very different health effects. Man-made trans fatty acids, found in foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, are a concern because research shows they raise LDL cholesterol levels and also lower HDL cholesterol levels, thereby increasing risk for heart disease. About 90% of all trans fat consumed in the American diet comes from these man-made trans fats found in processed and snack foods such as chips and cookies. The trans fatty acids that occur naturally in beef and dairy foods have very different physiological and biological functions compared to those found in processed foods. Research shows that naturally occurring trans fatty acids of animal origin do not increase risk of coronary heart disease and may decrease it. In particular, the trans
