Although fats are a necessary component of a balanced diet, it can be difficult to decide which ones to focus on due to the abundance of contradicting information. In this article, we wil give you the main distinctions between unsaturated and saturated fats so you can make wise decisions.
What Makes the Difference? Defining Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats
Your body needs dietary fats to remain healthy. The secret is to eat healthy fats. They provide you energy, shield your organs, maintain cell growth, control blood pressure, and aid in the absorption of specific nutrients.
The Saturated Fats
Because of their chemical makeup, saturated fats are referred to as “saturated” fats. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen molecules make up all lipids. Hydrogen atoms are “saturated” in saturated lipids. They lack double bonds and contain the maximum amount of hydrogen atoms conceivable in their chemical structure.
The Unsaturated Fats
In general, unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. They are not the same as saturated fats since they have one or more double bonds in their chemical composition.
Final Thoughts
The amount of saturated fat that is “safe” or “healthy” is a topic of significant debate, as certain forms of saturated fat have been linked to heart disease.
Just because saturated fats like butter, meat, and margarine elevate LDL doesn’t necessarily mean they increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Your best option may still be to reduce the amount of saturated fats in your diet, as additional research is required to resolve the contradictory findings.