Elaidic

/ɛˈleɪɪdɪk/ adjective

Definition

Describing a trans form of oleic acid, a fatty acid created through hydrogenation that became notorious as a problematic trans fat in processed foods.

Etymology

Possibly from Arabic or a variant of oleic acid nomenclature, combined with the chemical suffix '-ic' to indicate a type of fatty acid.

Kelly Says

Elaidic acid represents one of chemistry's most controversial creations—when scientists hydrogenated oils to make margarine, they accidentally created trans fats that our bodies treat as metabolic poisons!

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