Trans fat is a type of dietary fat found in small amounts in some meat and dairy products. However, the trans fats most commonly consumed are artificial, created through an industrial process called hydrogenation, which adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid.
Trans fats are present in various processed foods, including fried foods, baked goods (like pastries, doughnuts, cakes, and cookies), margarine, and some packaged snack foods. They are often used to improve the texture, shelf life, and flavor stability of these foods.
Consuming high amounts of trans fats has been linked to an increased risk of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Consequently, many health authorities recommend limiting the intake of trans fats as much as possible. In some countries, regulations have been implemented to restrict the use of artificial trans fats in food products.