Tag: Zero calorie fat

According to the National Institutes of Health, Olestra is a non-absorbed, non-caloric fat replacement that passes through the digestive tract largely unchanged. Its unique molecular structure prevents it from being digested, leading many to question if olestra can be absorbed in the gut and how it affects the body.

In 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved olestra as a fat substitute for use in savory snacks, with its manufacturer suggesting it could aid weight loss and reduce fat intake. However, this approval was just the beginning of a highly controversial saga for the ingredient, which is largely discontinued today.

First approved by the FDA in 1996 for use in savory snacks, the fat substitute known as Olean (generic name Olestra) was created by chemically modifying two common ingredients. This revolutionary process resulted in a molecule that mimicked the taste and texture of fat but passed through the body undigested.