What is the difference between Unsaturated and Saturated Fats?

One of the ways to differentiate between unsaturated and saturated fats is by comparing their chemical structures. When you consider the chemical structures of most saturated fats, they are usually marked by the absence of double bonds between their carbon atoms, whereas the opposite is the case for unsaturated fats because there is the presence of double bonds in their carbon atoms.

Another difference between the two is their physical state at room temperature. While saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature, unsaturated fats are liquid. Both saturated fats and unsaturated fats contribute to the cholesterol level of the body, but saturated fats are most times considered as harmful to the body because they cause the LDL cholesterol level of the body to increase.

In contrast, unsaturated fats are very needed in the body. Examples of unsaturated fats are canola oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, etc. Examples of saturated fats are red meat, butter, chicken fat.

Saturated fats and unsaturated fats are two kinds of fats that are found in our food and are healthy to the body in the right content. Saturated fats have their carbon atoms fixed together with single bonds. Each carbon atoms have four hydrogen atoms equally saturated among themselves. When it comes to the case of unsaturated fats, they contain double bonds between their carbon atoms.

Unsaturated fats are always liquid at room temperature, while saturated fats always take solid form at room temperature. These two kinds of fats also have different effects on the body, as saturated fats are known to be harmful to human health.

They increase the rate of cholesterol in the blood, which can lead to diseases such as arteriosclerosis and more. Meanwhile, the unsaturated fats are very useful and of good advantage to the body. They contribute to body growth and development, keep the nerve cells on health, and balance the hormones.