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When it comes to balancing your body health by consuming the right kinds of foods and nutrients, fats are an essential part of our daily diets. You may be accustomed to associating fats with unhealthy habits and bad health, but experts agree that our bodies need a specific intake of fat for energy and other purposes. According to Harvard Medical School, not only do fats provide a vital energy source for the human body, but they help us to absorb minerals and vitamins, build cell membranes, support nerve health, aid muscle movement, make blood clotting possible and contribute to the process of inflammation to protect the body from contaminants. Fats come in multiple forms — both detrimental and beneficial — but the most common categorization of fats are unsaturated and saturated fats. To support long-term health and make the best dietary choices, it is recommended that you understand the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats and which foods contain each. What Is Saturated Fat?Tightly-packed fats that are solid at room temperature because they contain no double bonds in their chemical structures are known as saturated fats — because their structures contain as many hydrogen atoms as possible and they are "saturated" with hydrogen. Saturated fats are typically found in the following foods:
While some saturated fat is necessary for your diet — about five or six percent of your average daily intake, according to the American Heart Association — too much saturated fat can raise cholesterol levels and increase your store of LDL, the type of cholesterol that causes plaque buildup in the arteries. Because of this correlation, it is possible that a diet rich in saturated fats can lead to health risks like heart disease or type 2 diabetes. The health hazards of high intakes of saturated fats, however, can depend on the type of food source they come from. For example, the National Institutes of Health found that processed meats can increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases, while dairy may decrease it. What Is Unsaturated Fat?Unsaturated fats, which are liquid at room temperature, are different from saturated fats because they contain one or more double bonds and fewer hydrogen atoms on their carbon chains. Unsaturated fats come from plants and occur in the following kinds of foods:
If you are wondering what is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats, here is the bottom line: Experts agree that unsaturated fats are the way to go. According to Harvard Medical School, unsaturated fats are beneficial to heart health because they help reduce high cholesterol levels, which prevents conditions like heart disease and stroke. These healthy, natural fats occur in the following two types:
Choose the Right Kinds of FatsIn both your cooking and your eating habits, it is important to incorporate a range of healthy unsaturated fats for your body's best condition. With flavor- and nutrient-rich, all-natural, minimally processed artisan oils of all varieties, La Tourangelle offers a range of oils that will help you with your culinary creations and your diet. Contact us today to learn more about our heart-healthy cooking oils. ← Older Post Newer Post → What is the difference between saturated monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids?... acids are classified based on the number of double bonds between carbon atoms. There are saturated fatty acids (SFA; no double bond), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, one double bond) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; more than one double bond).
Which is better for you polyunsaturated or monounsaturated?Monounsaturated fat is typically considered to be slightly healthier than polyunsaturated. Oils like olive oil, canola oil and sunflower oil are made up of different percentages of primarily mono- and poly-unsaturated fats. This is why these oils are considered some of the healthiest options available today.
Which is better for you saturated fat or polyunsaturated fat?(16) So while saturated fat may not be as harmful as once thought, evidence clearly shows that unsaturated fat remains the healthiest type of fat.
Is monounsaturated fat the same as saturated fat?Monounsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature but start to harden when chilled. Saturated fats and trans fats are solid at room temperature. These unhealthy fats can increase your risk for heart disease and other health problems.
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