FATS - (Saturated and Unsaturated)

FATS - (Saturated and Unsaturated)

SATURATED AND UNSATURATED FATS

Firstly what is fats ?

 Fats, also known as lipids is an essential nutrients the body needs to function well. Fats contain elements of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Fats are source of energy than carbohydrates and they helps the body to absorb vitamins and minerals.

However,a diet with too much of fats can increase body weight and raise the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

In this article, we look at the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SATURATED AND UNSATURATED FATS.

SATURATED FATS

Saturated fats are when the molecules have one single bond between their carbon atoms. Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature and cannot be easily oxidized. They are made up of two small molecules which are fatty acid and monoglyceride. Saturated fatty acid contain long, unbranched chains of carbon atoms which are commonly found in animal fat such as: meat, butter, coconut oil,palm oil,whole milk, fish, egg yolk and palm kernel oil. These food source contains high levels of saturated fats and the overconsumption of these saturated fatty acids is harmful to the health as they cause heart disease by raising the cholesterol in the blood.

UNSATURATED FATS

Unsaturated fats are when the molecules have one or more double bonds between their carbon atoms. Unsaturated fats are usually liquid at room temperature i.e they did not solidified at room temperature and can easily oxidized.

Unsaturated fats is divided into two(2) categories:

1. Monounsaturated fats (MUFA): They are fats that contains only one double bond in their chain.

2.Polyunsaturated fats (PUFA): They are fats that contain two or more double bonds in their chain.

The food sources that contains unsaturated fatty acid can be found in plant fats which include: margarine,vegetable oil, nuts, plant oil, avocados, cashews, peanut butter, olives, fish like tuna, salmon, and anchovy which contains omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids.

Diet high in fat, especially saturated fats, have been linked with many of the chronic and degenerate diseases present today. The link appears to be strongest between saturated fat, cholesterol and coronary artery disease. Food rich in saturated fats, such as beef, milk, cheese, coconut oil, and palm oil have been known to cause raise in the blood cholesterol levels in humans.

Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats appear to lower blood cholesterol. However, the major reduction in fat consumption should be from saturated fat food sources.

"To remain healthy it is advisable to consume a high proportion of unsaturated fats than that of saturated fats because unsaturated fat help to reduce and maintain the cholesterol level in the body".

Article By:

Tijani Lydia Opeyemi

Food, Nutrients & Health.

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 References:

www.healthline.com

www.sciencedaily.com

www.verywellhealth.com