The difference between them starts on a molecular level.
The body makes monounsaturated fats and gets them from your diet (e.g., avocado, olive oil).
What Are Unsaturated Fats?
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Unsaturated fats are considered healthy fats.
Because of their structure, theyre usually liquid at room temperature.
Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature.
Thats because research has found that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats can decrease the risk of heart disease.
According to the AHA, both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can lower rates of cardiovascular disease andall-cause mortality.
These fats also help to decrease bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels, both of which contribute to heart disease.
Monounsaturated Fats
Monounsaturated fats have only one carbon-to-carbon double bond in their molecular structure.
They help lower bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and help maintain the overall health of cells.
Much like monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats can also help lower unhealthy LDL cholesterol.
Polyunsaturated fats are essential for your bodys functions and play a role in building cell membranes and blood clotting.
Your body cant make polyunsaturated fats, so you have to get them from food.
There are two main types of polyunsaturated fats: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Your body needs both of these for brain function and cell growth.
Foods high in polyunsaturated fats include:
Polyunsaturated vs. Monounsaturated: Which is Better?
One is not better than the otherthey both offer health benefits.
Research showsomega-3 fatscan lowertriglyceridelevels and slightly increaseHDL(good cholesterol) levels.
Summary
You may tend to think of fats as being bad for you.
Both monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats have heart-healthy benefits, including decreasing inflammation and improving cholesterol.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture.FoodData Central.
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