Fried foods and fats (part I of II)

Fried foods are a popular part of the American diet. While these foods are simply irresistible for many, scientists consider them to be high-risk foods that can be detrimental to one’s health, especially when they are not eaten in moderation as part of a well-balanced diet.

French fries are among the most commonly consumed fried food products. When potatoes are cooked in trans-fat at high temperatures, all sorts of very unpleasant things occur. Scientists have learned that trans fatty acids appear to increase the “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and decrease the “good” cholesterol (HDL). They increase...