Why is saturated fat good for you

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If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc. The truth about saturated fat. Share using Email. By Angela Dowden 15th July Mainstream science says eating too much saturated fat raises cholesterol and the risk of heart disease, so why are some diet trends encouraging people to eat more of it?

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Dietary fat: Know which to choose Fat is an important part of your diet, but some kinds are healthier than others. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Duyff RL. Fat facts. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Department of Health and Human Services and U.

Department of Agriculture. Accessed Feb. Dietary Reference Intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein, and amino acids. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats. Accessed Oct. Hyperlipidemia adult.

However, the overall health impact of saturated fat remains controversial. Some researchers believe it may increase the risk of heart disease, while others believe moderate amounts might benefit overall health. The authors suggest that people reduce their intake of saturated fats and replace some of them with unsaturated fats.

Fat is an essential nutrient that the body needs to function fully. Fats in the diet help the body absorb vitamins and minerals and serve other vital roles. Fat stored in body tissues is critical for:.

In this article, we look at the differences between saturated and unsaturated fat, the roles they play in the body, and which foods provide them. Most fatty foods contain a combination of fatty acids. As such, many foods do not contain just saturated or unsaturated fats, which can make it difficult for a person to eliminate only one type. Most health organizations and dietary experts recommend eating saturated fats in moderation and replacing them with unsaturated fats when possible.

This means that for an average calorie daily diet, people should consume no more than calories or 13 grams g from saturated fats. Some research from and supported a higher intake of MCT saturated fats, such as from coconut oil.

However, a comprehensive analysis found that coconut oil intake produces higher LDL levels than vegetable oils. People with existing heart problems should speak to a doctor before adding new saturated fats to their diet. A scientific review reported an association between people who have heart disease or a risk of heart problems and those who consume higher amounts of saturated fats in their diet.

The study authors also reported that replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat may also bring down the risk of cardiovascular disease CVD.

However, recent research has challenged the link between saturated fats and heart disease. Trans fats, however, did increase the risk. The jury is still out on saturated fat. While a diet containing too many saturated fats can increase body weight and the risk of CVD, it might not be as harmful as scientists once thought.