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

Balance cholesterol Black olives contain oleic acid, an unsaturated fat that contributes to maintaining normal blood cholesterol levels. —Violeta Valdés, Vogue, 1 May 2025

Replacing some of it with unsaturated fats can support heart health. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 30 Apr. 2025

Avocados The unsaturated fats found in avocados are good for heart health. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Apr. 2025

But the main nutritional selling point of fish over meat is that fish is loaded with heart-healthy unsaturated fats. —The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025

The combination of unsaturated fats and soluble and insoluble fiber can help prevent spikes in your blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance.15 Different nuts provide different amounts of nutrients per serving. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 13 Mar. 2025

These tiny seeds also boast fiber, unsaturated fat, and protein. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2025

Its emphasis on healthy unsaturated fats and fiber is essential for satiety and blood sugar control, which helps prevent overeating.10 Both of these diets can support weight loss goals when done in conjunction with a calorie deficit. —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 20 Mar. 2025

Olive oil offers far more health benefits and is an unsaturated fat, whereas coconut oil is a saturated fat. —Patty Weasler, Rn, Bsn, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 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