what's more unhealthy, trans fats or sugar?

Question

I've seen that a lot of foods and even whole restaurant chains are switching to no longer have trans fats, but many of those foods now seem to have more sugar in them--both are bad for you, but are trans fats significantly worse, and if so, why?

Answer 1

trans fats are hydrogenated making them harder to digest compared to cis fats(trans fats prevent food from going bad[this is why companies use them], by making the chemical bonds more full, which also results in making it harder to digest and therefore a build up in the body)

trans fats are unhealthy because... "Human cells have difficulty processing the man-made, kinked chemical structure of the trans fat, therefore cholesterol build up and cardio vascular system damage is more evident from trans fat than from any other type of fat."

sugar is not that bad because it can be processed by your body to be turned into fat, and broken down later

but of course they are both unhealthy when you consume too much, which you will if you eat junk food or fast food

Answer 2

There has not been a trade off on sugar and trans fats, if that is what you mean? The trade off has been from trans fat to a more conceptually healthier fat. For example, KFC has not increased its sugar content in their fried chicken.

However, if you are asking about the individual product, both sugar and trans fats should be avoided. Especially a bunch of sugar which is more common in the American diet than trans fats. As a matter of fact people seem to be more willing to gulp down a lot of sugar yet they use a keener eye to "protect" themselves from all sources of fats. Even the "healthier" fats are avoided and feared. I have heard people call butter a trans fat which is not true. Margarine, however is a trans fat. Avoiding sugar completely isn't the way to treat sugar. It is more important to be cautious of sugar in relationship to your own body. The problem with that, most people have no idea as to how much sugar is safe for them. I keep my grams of sugar below 60 grams daily. Sugar isn't just what you find in candy and cakes. It is also in breads, rice, potatoes, better known as carbohydrates. Sugar is also in vegetables and meat. Meat, potatoes and other vegetables contain carbohydrates that the body does not differentiate between sugar or carbs.

Answer 3

Anything that is chemically-based is neither beneficial nor healthy for the human body. I may not be a medical expert, but I believe that sugar is lesser of the two evils.

There is an on-going campaign to ban trans fat from food manufacturing processes as research has shown that trans-fat or mono or poly unsaturated in form will cause coronary heart diseases. Though it lengthens the shelf-life of 'food', it is still a form of FAT. Since it is FAT and chemically manufactured, it is harder to burn.

Sugar on the other hand may cause diabetes which in turn can cause more major health problems. But, since sugar is made from natural sources, it can be burned easier through regular exercise.

Answer 4

Trans fats are much worse in the short run, since they are already in lipid form and will be immediately absorbed.

Sugar is often easier to control, via both food selection and exercise, so if you are an active person without diabetes, you should be able to metabolize the glucose before it is stored as fat.

If you are sedentary or you eat copious amounts of sugar, then you will be unable to burn all the glucose, and you may have a problem.

If you must eat an increased amount of sugar, modify your lifestyle accordingly, and you should be fine.

Answer 5

trans fats are worse depending on how much is in the food. Sugars are also bad.

Answer 6

No comparison... Trans fats are about 100 times worse than sugar. They cause a bad cholestrol build-up and eventually heart disease and heart attack.

Sugar isn't inherently bad, it's just too much of it causes sugar dependency when the blood sugar level rises and falls dramatically. When such a dramatic fall occurs, you end up being hungry and eat more sugar, which creates a vicious spiral.

Answer 7

trans fats are much worse. Sugar is(in some forms) more natural. Fruits, for instance, have sugar. Trans Fats clog your arteries and has been in some trials linked to cancer.

Answer 8

Trans fat is actually worse than saturated fat so I would rate it as more dangerous than sugar. Trans fats can't be digested properly either. Sugar is OK in moderation.

Answer 9

Trans fats are always bad. Sugars are bad if they are artificially added, or if they have a high glycemic index.

The sugar in fruits, when combined with all the fiber and the nutrients, are not that bad.

Answer 10

Our bodies know how to break down sugar.. not trans fat. Sugar still equals lots of calories so they'll probably both make us fat, trans fat will just kill us sooner.