Saturated fat

Definition:

Saturated fat is a type of dietary fat found in many foods. It consists of fatty acid chains with all single bonds between the carbon atoms. Each carbon atom in the chain bonds with two hydrogen atoms, hence the term “saturated” (with hydrogen).

Here are some common sources of saturated fat:

• Meat
• Dairy products
• Coconut oil
• Palm oil
• Cocoa butter

While some studies suggest that moderate saturated fat intake might be okay, many health organisations recommend limiting saturated fat intake to reduce your risk of heart disease. This is because high levels of saturated fat can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in your blood. LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.^[1]