Unsaturated fats

Unsaturated fats are a type of fat that is liquid at room temperature. They are considered healthier than saturated fats, which are solid at room temperature. Unsaturated fats are found in foods such as olive oil, avocado, and nuts.

Types of Unsaturated Fats

There are two main types of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats.

Monounsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats are fats that have one double-bonded carbon in the molecule. They are typically liquid at room temperature but start to turn solid when chilled. Foods high in monounsaturated fats include olive oil, peanut oil, and avocados.

Polyunsaturated Fats

Polyunsaturated fats are fats in which the constituent hydrocarbon chain possesses two or more carbon–carbon double bonds. Polyunsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood which can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. They also provide nutrients to help develop and maintain your body’s cells. Foods high in polyunsaturated fats include a number of vegetable oils, including soybean oil, corn oil and sunflower oil, as well as fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring and trout.

Health Benefits

Unsaturated fats are an important part of a healthy diet. These fats help reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol levels (among other health benefits) when they replace saturated fats in the diet.

See Also

• Saturated fats
• Trans fats
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Omega-6 fatty acids

References

Unsaturated fats Resources
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