Difference Between Fats and Oils

Considered to be essential macronutrients, Fats and Oils are often thought of as the same and unhealthy for the body. But there have different sources and origins. Fats are derived from animals, and Oils are derived from Plants.

Fats and Oils both are made from Oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. Their differences in composition make them distinct from each other.

Fats vs Oils

The main difference between Fats and Oils is that both are derived from different sources are have different Origins. Fats are found under the skin or around the organ in animal bodies and derived from animals. Oils are viscous liquids that are found in fat granules in plants and fruits. Fats are solid at room temperature, whereas oils that are liquid have room temperatures.

Composed of unsaturated fatty acids, Fats are derived from animals and are not good for health. They are solid at room temperature and have a high melting point. They are of two types- saturated fats and Trans fats. They are mainly oily substances found under the skin or around the organ. They increase the level of cholesterol in the blood.

Oils are unsaturated lipids that are not unhealthy and remain liquid at room temperature. They are of two types- Monounsaturated oils and polyunsaturated oils. They help in increasing good cholesterol and eliminate bad cholesterol levels. They are present in plants and fruits. They have low melting points. For example, olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil are not harmful.

Comparison Table Between Fats and Oils

What are Fats?

Molecules made up of saturated fatty acids chain with a glycerol head are known as Fats. They are present in both humans and animals under the skin or around the organ. It can also be obtained by the process called hydrogenation which involves processing vegetable oils. Saturated fats and Trans fats are its types. 

Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, they are insoluble in water and are solid at room temperature. Glycerol is the backbone of Fat. They are unhealthy because they are solid and robust. Thus, it becomes very complex to break the molecular chain by the body into the liquid. Eventually, the fats got collected to one place, and then. As a result, the arteries and veins get blocked.

Saturated fats are those in which the fatty acid chains mainly have single bonds. They increase cholesterol levels and are present in foods like cookies, butter, cakes, etc. Trans fats are those unsaturated fats that are present in less amount in milk and meat.

What are Oils?

Viscous liquids that are found in plants and oils are termed Oils. They are composed of unsaturated fatty acids. They are liquid at room temperature. They have, thus, low melting points. Mono-unsaturated fats and poly-unsaturated fats are two types of Oils. Oils are considered to be the source of healthy fats. It lowers the bad cholesterol levels and increases the good HDL cholesterol level.

There is more than one double bond in the unsaturated fatty acids chain, and hydrogen in the chain gets reduced. This results in the reduction of the hydrogen, and the chain of fatty acids gets weak and unstable. And thus it breaks fastly and not accumulated at one place as fats do. Monosaturated fats have one double bond, whereas Polyunsaturated Fats have more than one double bond.

Main Differences Between Fats and Oils

Conclusion

Both are the types of fats only, but because of some fats that are actually unhealthy for our health, in general, fats are considered not to be good for health. There are some ill effects of unsaturated fats, due to which the fats have gained a bad reputation. Oils such as olive oils are considered to be good for health.

.Fats that are derived from animals are made from unsaturated fatty acids, which are responsible for the increase in cardiovascular disease and cholesterol. On the other hand, Oils are made up of monosaturated that helps in controlling cholesterol levels. They both cannot be dissolved in water. Mainly, the composition is important to know before making any conclusions about fats. It is somewhere important to know their differences and their usage.

References

ncG1vNJzZmiZo6Cur8XDop2fnaKau6SxjZympmeUnrOnsdGepZydXZeytcPEnqVmnpGpwG6tzZ1kqKGcqHw%3D