Foods high in trans fats linked to increased aggression and irritability: study

Bickering with your spouse and irritable with your kids or colleagues? Drop the pre-packaged cookies and walk away from the frozen pizza.

In a new US study published online by PLoS One and released March 13, researchers from the University of California San Diego showed that consumption of foods high in trans fats commonly found in processed and deep-fried foods is associated with irritability and aggression.

Fats which are solid at room temperature like margarine, shortenings and prepared foods are high in trans fats.

Calling it the first study to provide evidence linking trans fatty acids to adverse conduct like impatience and overt aggression, researchers came to their conclusion after studying the dietary habits and behaviors of nearly a thousand men and women.

The survey measured everything from a life history of aggression, conflict tactics, self-rated impatience, irritability and overt aggression.

Meanwhile, consumption of trans fats has also been linked to everything from increased risk of stroke in older women, brain shrinkage, Alzheimer's, and infertility among men.