what is the difference between a saturated and unsaturated fat?
Thanks!
Saturated fats are generally hard at room temperature. So things like butter are saturated fat. Unsaturated fats are generally liquid at room temperature. So olive oil and nut and seed oils will be liquid at room temperature.
Hope this helped!
-MC
yeah it did alot thanks! ohh, can you help me with this other one?
Why are partially hydrogenerated fats useful when making potato chips- and not particularly healthy for humans to eat?
i appreciate it!
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "'hydrogenated fats' 'potato chips'" to get these possible sources:
http://www.medicineonline.com/articles/H/2/Hydrogenated-Fats/Trans-Fats.html
http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/N185.html
(Broken Link Removed)
http://www.umm.edu/features/transfats.htm
http://food-facts.suite101.com/article.cfm/transfatty_foods
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
The main difference between saturated and unsaturated fats lies in their chemical structure and the effect they have on our health. To understand this, let's break it down:
Saturated fats have a chemical structure that consists of single bonds between carbon atoms, which means they are "saturated" with hydrogen atoms. These fats are typically solid at room temperature and are commonly found in animal products like meat and dairy, as well as certain tropical oils like coconut oil and palm oil. Eating excessive amounts of saturated fats has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and certain health problems.
On the other hand, unsaturated fats have at least one double bond in their chemical structure, which means they are not completely saturated with hydrogen atoms. This structure gives them a more fluid consistency, and they are usually liquid at room temperature. Unsaturated fats can be further categorized as monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Monounsaturated fats are found in olive oil, avocados, and nuts, while polyunsaturated fats are commonly found in fatty fish, seeds, and vegetable oils like sunflower oil and soybean oil. Consuming moderate amounts of unsaturated fats, particularly the polyunsaturated variety, can be beneficial to heart health and overall well-being.
To identify whether a food contains saturated or unsaturated fats, you can refer to its nutrition label or consult reliable resources such as official dietary guidelines. These sources provide information on the types and amounts of fat present in different foods, helping you make informed choices about your diet.
Remember, while it's important to consume fats as part of a balanced diet, it's advisable to limit your intake of saturated fats and opt for healthier unsaturated fats whenever possible.