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

Instead, prioritize sources of heart-healthy unsaturated fats like fatty fish, nuts, seeds, non-tropical vegetable oils, and avocado. —Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 13 Aug. 2025

However, not all cooking oils contain the same amounts of saturated vs. unsaturated fat. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2025

Protein Quality and Timing Courtesy of David Protein The most beneficial sources of protein come bundled with fiber, unsaturated fats, and other essential nutrients. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 6 Aug. 2025

Healthwise, cooking oil made from sunflowers is the preferred vegetable oil due to its unsaturated fats and, especially, its oleic acids that help increase good (HDL) cholesterol. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 2 Aug. 2025

Dietitians particularly love: Raspberries and other types of berries Chia seeds Avocados Sweet potatoes with the skin Broccoli Beans Almonds Beyond fiber, these foods also contain other essential nutrients, like unsaturated fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, Rifkin says. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 29 July 2025

Eating more fatty fish, like salmon, is great for your heart, thanks to its omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats. —Christina Manian, Health, 28 July 2025

Eat balanced meals regularly: Learning to put together meals that include a mix of complex carbs, protein, and healthy unsaturated fats is essential for slowing sugar absorption and sustaining your energy. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 8 July 2025

When the unsaturated fats made up anywhere from 0.25% to 2.56% of daily energy intake, they were linked to a 3% greater risk of ischemic heart disease. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsaturated fat

• acrobat
• autocrat
• automat
• bundesrat
• bureaucrat
• butterfat
• caveat
• chemostat
• copycat
• cryostat
• democrat
• diplomat

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