What Is Olestra And Does It Pose Risks?

Video: What Is Olestra And Does It Pose Risks?

Video: What Is Olestra And Does It Pose Risks?
Video: What is OLESTRA? What does OLESTRA mean? OLESTRA meaning, definition & explanation 2024, November
What Is Olestra And Does It Pose Risks?
What Is Olestra And Does It Pose Risks?
Anonim

Olestra is often present in the composition of the foods we buy. It is a substitute for fat, which does not contain any fat, calories and cholesterol. He is often spelled Olean.

As an ingredient, olestra is added to the production of quite fatty foods, such as potato chips, to eliminate the presence of "harmful" fats in it.

Olestra was discovered by chance by researchers Matson and Wolpenhain in 1968. Their goal was to find fat that was easier to digest than premature babies. In 1971, tests were conducted, which found that the consumption of olester showed a decrease in cholesterol levels with the use of olester.

The manufacturer is trying to present the product as a drug that can affect cholesterol levels, but olestera does not pass the relevant tests.

However, in 1984, high-fiber cereals were allowed to be advertised as an effective means of reducing the risk of cancer. This was the ambition of the olestra discoverers, and after three years of research, they were able to meet the Commission's percentage requirements and "pass" olestra as a fat substitute.

Chips
Chips

In the United States, the substitute was approved in 1996 by the Food and Drug Administration. As early as the late 1990s, however, it began to be looked at with suspicion due to the appearance of a number of side effects. However, olestra is still a part of many foods around the world and in our country.

After the first signs of unhealthy consequences of olester consumption, others appear. Various side effects (eg diarrhea) lead the Commission to require that every product containing olestra be labeled accordingly.

After 2000, sales of olestra-containing products fell sharply. The company that patented the substitute is ending its long-standing attempts to expand its use. In 2002 the factory was sold.

Today, olestra is present in the production of "dietary" versions of several world-famous brands of chips. The ingredient is also found in some frozen desserts.

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