Trans fats trouble

Another concern is the presence of trans fats, commonly found in commercially baked and deep-fried foods.

Trans fats are a man-made product that results from high temperature treatment, pressure and hydrogenation, said Mrs Majmudar.

Hydrogenation is a process of adding hydrogen to oils to solidify them at room temperature. Trans fats, also known as hydrogenated fats, spell double trouble for your heart health because they increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol.

While oil may sometimes be given a bad name, we all need fat to live.

Said Ms Reutens: "Oil helps us to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K. We definitely need oil, but we need to control the amount we consume."

lingg@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times.