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

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

But that’s because there are a finite number of vegetable oils that provide the essential saturated and unsaturated fats that babies require. —Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025

New & Noteworthy New Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Dill Pickle are packed with flavor and are known for protein, fiber and unsaturated fats for a combination that may help keep you feeling fuller longer. —Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025

Peanuts are low in carbs, high in unsaturated fats, and a good source of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, niacin, and thiamine. —Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 2 May 2025

However, not all cooking oils contain the same amounts of saturated vs. unsaturated fat. —Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025

In addition, the researchers found that higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, unsaturated fats and low-fat dairy products was linked with greater odds of healthy aging. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025

The fruit contains many nutrients, including healthy unsaturated fats, fiber, magnesium, and potassium. —Lindsey Desoto, Verywell Health, 5 June 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