Fat substitute

As a fat substitute synthetic fats art are referred to in the first place, which are added to foods. They possess the physical properties of fat, however, have no chemical similarity to natural fats. They consist as a rule of sucrose polyesters, ie compounds of sucrose and other carbohydrates with fatty acids, but also paraffins. The most famous fat substitute Olestra this kind is made ​​by Procter & Gamble. Olestra is approved in the U.S. since the 1990s, but not within the EU. Fat replacement products are virtually calorie -free because they are indigestible and are unutilized excreted from the body. In the U.S. there are mainly potato chips and other snack foods that contain instead of natural fat Olestra. The products rely mainly on the target group of overweight.

Fat substitutes

Often fat substitutes are referred to as a fat substitute. They are in contrast to the synthetic fats from natural starting materials, mostly carbohydrates or protein. A known product is Simplesse and is made from whey protein. Fat substitutes are used by the food industry, especially in light products, to reduce the fat and calorie content. The flavor effect of the fat substitutes is similar to fat, but is not identical. Unlike fat substitutes, these substances can be heated but only limited, as only protein to about 65 ° C is heat stable. They are therefore added to most desserts, ice cream or mayonnaise. Some fat substitutes are fully digested and have fewer calories than real fat, others are incompletely digested and partially decomposed by microorganisms in the colon. These substances are authorized in the EU.

Known types

  • Carrageenan ( based on carbohydrates )
  • Simplesse ( based on protein)
  • Maltrin ( based on starch )
  • PaselliSA2 ( based on starch )
  • Inulin ( based on carbohydrates )

Side effects

The EU-approved fat substitutes are considered safe. For protein allergy, it may be a problem that these substances are often not explicitly declared on packaged foods as albuminous. Replacers based on starch are usually declared as a strength. Indigestible by the human body substances such as inulin are partly degraded by the intestinal flora and can thus cause bloating.

Olestra may cause serious side effects. Frequently, intestinal cramps, diarrhea, and especially fecal incontinence because the sphincter of the anus paraffins can not hold back. Products containing Olestra had to be provided in the U.S. by 2003 with a warning.

Review and Critique

Fat substitutes are regarded as unproblematic. Counter- fat substitutes like Olestra there are quite a number of concerns. Many nutritionists their use is rejected, be unabsorbed because of their dietary intake and fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin D excreted, which may lead to deficiencies in the longer term. Therefore, it is enriched, for example, Olestra with these fat-soluble vitamins, which should compensate for the loss.

In an independent pharmacological evaluation by German scientists, the use of pseudo fats such as Olestra has been critically evaluated. Among other things, the intestinal flora is affected. " If more than 30 percent of the dietary fat replaced by, for example, Olestra, so it comes to abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which is particularly troublesome because of the incontinence of the sphincter for paraffin- like substances. "

The reason given for the use of fat replacers and fat substitutes with a desired reduction in calories of food, so that losing weight would be facilitated. Scientific studies on animals and humans have shown, however, that the body, so that the result is often noticed the replacement of natural fats and responds with increased feelings of hunger an increase in the food supply. In animal studies, there was even weight gain by feeding with added fat substitute. According to Udo Pollmer fat consumption in industrialized countries is fairly constant at 40 percent of the energy supply, which he evaluates as an indication of biological regulation.

Comments

External links and sources

  • UGB.de: Xenical, Simplesse & Co. Everything for the slim line
  • Center for Science in the Public Interest: The Facts about Olestra (English )
  • Food additive
  • Oil and grease
  • Dietetics
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