Category: Fats

According to the American Heart Association, replacing saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats like PUFAs and MUFAs can significantly improve heart health. This article tackles the common question: are PUFAs better than MUFAs, or does a healthy diet need both?

According to the Washington State Potato Commission, a plain, medium potato contains virtually no fat. This debunks the common misconception that potatoes contribute significant fat to a diet, with the total fat being split between trace amounts of saturated and polyunsaturated fats.

A 2025 study from Verywell Health points out that both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats offer significant heart-healthy benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved cholesterol levels. Choosing which is better, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, is less about a clear winner and more about understanding their distinct roles and sources in a balanced diet.

While some research suggests moderate butter intake can increase levels of HDL, or 'good' cholesterol, this is only part of the story. So, does eating butter increase HDL, and what does this mean for your overall cardiovascular risk?

Peanuts are mainly composed of unsaturated fats. This makes them a heart-healthy addition to most diets. The answer to "is peanut saturated or unsaturated fat?" is essential to understanding the benefits of eating peanuts.

Cocoa butter, the fat in chocolate, is made of three primary fatty acids. The question of whether the saturated fat in chocolate is bad for you is more nuanced than previously thought, involving different types of saturated fats with varying effects on the body.

Chemically speaking, unsaturated fat is defined by the presence of at least one carbon-carbon double bond within its fatty acid chain. This crucial structural characteristic directly answers how many bonds does unsaturated fat have, establishing a clear distinction from saturated fats and influencing its physical and nutritional properties.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), approximately 82% of the fat in coconut oil is saturated, a significantly higher percentage than in butter (63%) or beef fat (50%). This fact places coconut products in a controversial light, sparking a persistent debate about their health implications, especially regarding saturated fat content.

A single tablespoon of butter contains approximately 102 calories and 11.5 grams of fat, immediately confirming that butter does not have low calories. This dispels the common misconception that this flavorful fat can be freely consumed without impacting your total caloric intake, especially when monitoring weight.

While carbohydrates are the primary macronutrient that affects blood sugar, dietary fats also play a crucial role in glucose regulation. So, does beef tallow spike blood sugar? The short answer is no, because beef tallow contains no carbohydrates; however, its high fat content can influence how the body processes glucose.