There is a lot of difference between saturated and unsaturated fat And, as much as many people don't know, not all fat is "bad"; in fact, its intake is as essential for the body's health as the consumption of other macronutrients, such as carbohydrates and proteins.

What is saturated fat

Saturated fat is just one of the types of fat possibly present in food, and is usually found in solid form. Essentially, it is that fat that is known as "bad" fat, i.e. it is capable of raising cholesterol levels in the body when consumed in excess.

Foods rich in saturated fat are, for example, butter and red meat.

Read more: The best choices of good fats to put on your plate

What is unsaturated fat

Unsaturated fat, unlike saturated fat, is usually found in liquid form, for example in olive oil. There are two types of unsaturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Understand the difference:

• Monounsaturated

The monounsaturated ones are usually present in fatty vegetables, such as avocados. They can help lower the level of cholesterol (LDL) in the body and, not only that, fight various diseases.

Some foods rich in this fat are nuts, olive oil, seeds, and avocados.

• Polyunsaturated

Polyunsaturates are important for muscle function and, also, are essential to the blood clotting process .

It is important to emphasize that this fat must be acquired through food, since the body is not able to produce it on its own.

Foods rich in this fat are: fish, such as salmon; soy, chia, various seeds, and macadamia nuts.

In addition, they are rich in omega-6, an essential amino acid for health due to its anti-inflammatory power. However, it is important not to consume too much.

Read more: Omega-3 and omega-6: Learn more about the good fats