What is Saturated Fat?

If you have ever looked over the nutritional table at the back of food packaging, you may have noticed something called saturated fat. We often hear about saturated fat and how it is bad for us, but many of us don’t even know what it means. Scientifically put, saturated fats are fat molecules that are packed with hydrogen molecules. These fats can raise your cholesterol, which is why they have been labeled as unhealthy by most scientists. Saturated fats can be found in animal products, such as meat and dairy, as well as coconut and palm oil. Though many scientists have agreed that saturated fats are bad for you, the research around the topic is not conclusive. Though they may increase certain risk factors, saturated fats have never directly caused a disease, and multiple studies have shown that saturated fat intake had no direct correlation with health issues. The unhealthiness of saturated fats also depends on the way they are consumed. For example, if your saturated fats intake is coming mostly from junk food, you may face health issues due to the overall unhealthiness of the food. On the other hand, if your saturated fats intake comes from nutrient packed animal products or nuts such as coconut, the effects are way less likely to be bad. This means that you don’t need to cut saturated fats in order to be healthy, just be aware of the kinds that you are consuming, and always consume in moderation. Now that you know what they mean, you can be better aware of what goes into your body and how to keep it as healthy as possible!