Why do people say that trans fatty acids are bad for your health?

Question

I've heard from several sources that trans FAs are bad for you and their consumption will lead to cardiac problems, and that they are indigestible.But I also learned from biochemistry that they *are* digestible. What is the reason for this, or is it true at all?

Answer 1

Trans fats have a different configuration as a byproduct of hydrogenation, other types of fats usually have a cis conformation in the hydrocarbon chains. The reason that they are "bad" for you doesn't have to do with digestibility so much. Trans fats cause inflammation, decrease levels of "good" cholesterol and increase levels of "bad cholesterol- they also have no known health benefits and these negative side effects are seen at any level of consumption. That's why they are considered unhealthy, it's not really an issue of digestibility, more about negative outcomes with no known benefits.