Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Saturated Fat
Functions and Sources
In what food source is the nutrient found?
Most saturated fat is in foods from animal sources. These include whole-milk dairy products, meat, lard, and poultry. Some vegetable foods are also high in saturated fat. These include coconut, cocoa butter, palm oil, and tropical oil. Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature. Vegetable oils contain various amounts of saturated fat. Oils that are lower in saturated fat include olive, canola, safflower, sunflower, soybean, and peanut oils.
How does the nutrient affect the body?
An excessive amount of saturated fat in the diet can raise both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, known as LDL. Since cholesterol is not soluble in blood, it is carried around in a protein-coated package called a lipoprotein. LDL is known as the bad package for cholesterol. High total and LDL cholesterol levels are major risk factors for heart disease.