Monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, are a healthy addition to the diet. They can aid in heart health and diabetes. However, they should be consumed in moderation.
Unlike saturated fats, which can have negative health effects, monounsaturated fats may support heart health and help someone manage their weight. However, all fats are calorie-dense, and people may put on weight if they eat them excessively.
This article explains what monounsaturated fat is and how it compares to other types of fat. It looks at potential health benefits, how much to eat, and food sources.
Monounsaturated fat is present in both plant foods and animal products. One of the healthiest examples of monounsaturated fat that people may be familiar with is olive oil.
Chemically speaking, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are fat molecules with one unsaturated double carbon bond. These fats are usually liquid when at room temperature and turn solid when chilled.
In common with all types of fats, monounsaturated fats contain nine calories per gram.
According to the
The AHA advises that the majority of fats that people eat should be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats.
People should consume monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats instead of foods that contain saturated or trans fats, as these can negatively affect their health.
The following sections look at what the evidence says about specific health effects of monounsaturated fats.
Heart health
Some evidence suggests that monounsaturated fats can improve heart health.
For example, the
The
A 2018 review explains that compared to eating a high saturated fat meal, consuming a high monounsaturated fat meal has the following benefits:
- larger, more buoyant low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, which are less dangerous to heart health
- faster clearance of fats after eating
- more fat burning and less fat storage
- reduction in fasting triglycerides and coagulation factors
Additionally, a
Although scientists need to do more research, the researchers suggest that the protective effects of MUFAs could be important for heart health.
Diabetes
According to a
The review suggested that compared to high carbohydrate diets, high MUFA diets reduced the following risk factors:
- fasting plasma glucose
- triglycerides
- body weight
- systolic blood pressure
The researchers also found that high MUFA diets increased beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Additionally, high MUFA diets had more beneficial effects on fasting glucose than high polyunsaturated fatty acid diets.
Inflammation and obesity
According to a
The researchers point out that the Mediterranean diet includes
People consuming a Mediterranean diet have
Furthermore, the TOMORROW study suggested that anti-inflammatory MUFAs might suppress disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
There are no government guidelines for how much monounsaturated fat to eat. However, the
With nine calories per gram, fats are more energy-dense than carbohydrates and protein, which provide
Consuming too many calories can lead to weight gain, so people should be mindful of the amount of fats they eat.
Although animal products such as eggs and meat contain MUFAs, the richest sources are plant foods. Good sources of MUFAs include:
- olive oil
- canola oil
- peanut oil
- sesame oil
- safflower oil
- avocados
- peanut butter
- nuts and seeds
Monounsaturated fats are a healthy addition to a person’s diet.
Compared to saturated fats, which experts advise that people limit, monounsaturated fats can have several health benefits. These include less risk of obesity and heart diseases.
A sensible approach is to replace most saturated fats with monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats. However, to maintain a moderate weight, people should not eat too much fat.