Margarine makes you angry - study

Published Mar 23, 2012

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London - Margarine can make you angry – and should not be fed to school pupils, a study has found.

Trans-fatty acids – found in large quantities in margarine, and also in other fast foods – make people aggressive and irritable.

Researchers studied 945 people with varying diets – and found those who ate large quantities of trans-fatty acids were consistently more aggressive.

The researchers warn that schools – and prisons – should look at their menus to ensure diet isn’t playing a part in aggressive behaviour.

“High levels of the trans-fatty acids were more consistently predictive of aggression and irritability,” said Dr Beatrice Golomb, a professor at the University of California and lead author of the paper.

“This adds further rationale to recommendations to avoid eating trans fats – the detrimental effects of trans fats may extend beyond the person who consumes them to affect others.”

Trans-fatty acids are known to be bad for health and can lead to high cholesterol levels, insulin resistance, oxidation, inflammation, and heart problems.

Fast food chain McDonald’s switched oil to cut down trans fats after a long campaign.

University of California researchers tested 945 men and women to test the relationship between trans-fatty acids and aggression or irritability. They questioned participants on life history of aggression, conflict tactics and self-rated impatience and irritability on an “overt aggression” scale – tallying recent aggressive behaviour.

The results – adjusted for sex, age, education and use of alcohol or tobacco products – showed there was a link between those eating foods containing trans-fatty acids and heightened aggression. – Daily Mail

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