unsaturated fat

noun

plural unsaturated fats

: a fat (see fat entry 3 sense 2b) that contains a fatty acid (see fatty acid sense 2) molecule which has one or more double bonds in its hydrocarbon chain, that is liquid at room temperature, and that is found in many plant sources (such as nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils) and some fish

Research connects consuming moderate amounts of unsaturated fats with a slew of health benefits, most notably, lower risk of premature death. Unsaturated fats can help boost good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol in your blood, which can lower your risk of heart disease or stroke …

—Cleveland Clinic

I found that brownies that contained mostly saturated fat (and thus lots of rigid carbon chains) baked up quite tender and not at all chewy, while brownies made with mostly unsaturated fat (and more flexible carbon chains) were the chewier ones.

—Andrea Geary

see also monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat compare saturated fat, trans fat

Examples of unsaturated fat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This process involves adding hydrogen to unsaturated fats—which are liquid at room temperature, such as vegetable oil—to make trans-fat, which is shelf-stable and solid and room temperature. —Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Since then, nutrition scientists have recognized that not all fats should be treated the same, and that unsaturated fats found in nuts, seeds, fish and certain vegetable oils can lower disease risk. —Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024

Instead, a healthy diet should be higher in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish and other seafood, vegetable oils higher in unsaturated fat and plant-based foods, the report said. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024

The nutrition panel said a healthy diet includes vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, and vegetable oils that are high in unsaturated fats. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

However, many nutritious alternatives exist for those who prefer or need to choose foods low in saturated fats, sugars, and sodium while containing complex carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, protein, and fiber. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024

In fact, the health benefits of pumpkin seeds include high amounts of protein and fiber, as well as plenty of unsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. —Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024

It is advised to consume unsaturated fats (MUFA and PUFA) instead of saturated and trans fats. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

unsaturated fat

noun

: a fat (see fat entry 2 sense 2b) that contains a fatty acid (see fatty acid sense 2) molecule which has one or more double bonds in its hydrocarbon chain, that is liquid at room temperature, and that is found in many plant sources (such as nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils) and some fish

Foods from animal sources such as meat, milk, and eggs contain more saturated than unsaturated fats. Conversely, foods from vegetable sources such as the oils contain more unsaturated fat.

—Sue Rodwell Williams, Nutrition and Diet Therapy

"The data suggest that any oil that's high in unsaturated fats—whether it's polyunsaturated or monounsaturated—is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease," says Alice Lichtenstein of the U.S. Department of Agriculture …

—Bonnie Liebman, Nutrition Action Health Letter

see also monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat compare saturated fat, trans fat