Interesting facts from the world of organic chemistry
Derivatives - carbonyl compounds II:
Olestra, The Controversial Fat Substitute
In the world of nutrition and food science, there have been numerous attempts to create healthier alternatives to traditional cooking oils and fats. One such innovation is Olestra, a synthetic fat substitute that gained notoriety in the late 1990s. Developed by Procter & Gamble, Olestra promised to deliver the rich taste and texture of fat without the caloric consequences. However, its journey from the lab to the market was fraught with controversy and mixed results. In this article, we’ll explore the history, benefits, drawbacks, and the ultimate fate of Olestra.
Introduction
Olestra (trade name Olean) is a substance that tastes like fat. It is an artificial fat substitute. Olestra is a chemical accidentally discovered during research in 1968 by Procter & Gamble. This happened during research with the aim of finding fats that would be easier for premature babies to digest. Olestra is more often classified in the group of carboxylic acid derivatives, however, considering the content of the carbonyl group, I took the liberty of classifying it as a carbonyl compound. Carbonyl compounds are organic substances containing a carbonyl group >C=O. Olestra is a mixture of hexa-, hepta- and octaesters of sucrose with various fatty acids.
Picture above: Chemical structure of Olestra molecule.
Olestra works by not being absorbed into the body. It passes through the digestive tract unchanged and is excreted in the stool. When added to food, olestra does not increase the fat content, does not add calories, and does not increase the cholesterol content of the food. It is a compound that is (or rather used to be) used in the preparation of traditional delicacies rich in fats. First of all, it was potato chips, in order to reduce the fat content. However, reducing the amount of fat also results in a reduction in the content of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K), which is undesirable. Therefore, foods with the addition of olestra had to be artificially enriched with compensatory amounts of vitamins A, D, E and K.
For quite a long time, olestra seemed to be completely free of side effects. However, between 1996 and 2003 there was a warning on products with added olestra. Olestra can cause abdominal cramps and loose stools. The warning also warned of a reduced ability to absorb some vitamins and other nutrients. Subsequently, in 2003, the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) removed this warning based on new stimuli.
Although olestra has the listed side effects, it has not yet been completely withdrawn from the market and can still be found in some specific products today. This applies in particular to some countries.
How is made?
Olestra is produced by reacting sucrose with palmitic acid or other fatty acids. The resulting compound is then hydrolyzed to remove residual fatty acids.
How does it work?
Olestra has a similar structure to fats, but is smaller and lighter. This causes it to be unabsorbed in the small intestine and excreted from the body unchanged.
Use
Olestra is used in a variety of foods, including chips, popcorn, cereal, cookies, and baked goods. It is a popular choice for people trying to reduce their calorie and fat intake.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Olestra can help reduce calorie and fat intake.
- Olestra is cholesterol free.
- Olestra is not considered a fat, so it may be useful for people with certain health problems, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Disadvantages:
- Olestra can cause side effects such as diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain.
- Olestra can affect the absorption of some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Conclusion
Olestra is an artificial fat substitute that has a number of advantages, but also some disadvantages. It is important to be aware of both of these factors before deciding whether to consume it.
Sources:
[1] Health, „Healthy & Hot,“ 18 7 2007. [Online]. Available: http://www.healthyandhot.com/everything_you_wanted_to_know_about_olestra.htm. [Přístup získán 7 6 2013].
[2] http://www.osel.cz/1065-dieta-a-olestra-nas-muze-zbavit-nekterych-toxinu.html. [Přístup získán 8 12 2019].