monounsaturated fatty acid

chemical compound

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

A monounsaturated fatty acid is a type of unsaturated fat characterized by having one double bond in its hydrocarbon chain. These compounds are typically liquid at room temperature and are found in foods such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds.1

Unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated ones, are crucial nutrients that provide energy to the body. They are considered healthier than saturated fats because they can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Monounsaturated fats are particularly beneficial as they can lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

nutritional disease
Dietary fat
…lower HDL cholesterol levels, while monounsaturated fatty acids tend to maintain them. The major monounsaturated fatty acid in animals and plants is oleic acid; good dietary sources are olive, canola, and high-oleic safflower oils, as well as avocados, nuts, and seeds. Historically, the low mortality from CHD in populations eating…
Read More
…lower HDL cholesterol levels, while monounsaturated fatty acids tend to maintain them. The major monounsaturated fatty acid in animals and plants is oleic acid; good dietary sources are olive, canola, and high-oleic safflower oils, as well as avocados, nuts, and seeds. Historically, the low mortality from CHD in populations eating…
Read More