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Fats

Background Information

Facts about fats

Fats are essential for a healthy body, providing a source of energy and carrying vital nutrients. Fats also play an important role in food manufacture and cooking, making our food taste good. For good health, it is necessary to pay attention to both the total amount and the type of fats in the diet. An excessive consumption of fats in general and saturated fats in particular is known to be a major factor influencing the development of diseases such as c ...

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Science Briefs

Eating any food sources of omega-3 fats may be beneficial for health

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Quality of fat during infancy seems more important than quantity

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Macadamia nuts may benefit people with elevated cholesterol levels

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Podcasts
International Expert Meeting on Health Significance of Fat Quality of the Diet 03/08/2009
What's new in obesity research - Highlights from the 11th International Congress on Obesity 2010 13/04/2011
Consumer perception of nutrition and health claims 01/03/2010
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FAQ

What is the difference between butter and margarine from a dietary point of view?

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Is it true that even the oiliest fish is still leaner than the leanest meat?

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Is cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil better for you than other oils?

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Food Today

New nutrition guidelines for Europe, halfway there…

On request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority has provided guidance on intakes of fats, carbohydrates, fibre and water considering the new evidence. These dietary reference values establish optimum intakes of nutrients in a balanced diet which when part of an overall healthy lifestyle, contribute to good health.

Taking a closer look at saturated fat

Emerging research suggests some saturated fats carry out important functions in the body. However, this does not counteract the advice that people should reduce saturated fat consumption.

The importance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

The beneficial effects of consuming omega-3 fatty acids are well publicised, but omega-6 fatty acids feature far less in the news. So what are fatty acids and why is it important that we get the balance right?

Why is it important to …. know your fats

Even though most Europeans still eat more fat than is recommended, it is time for a more balanced approach to managing our intake of this nutrient. If you know your fats you are in a good position to both enjoy your food and get a healthy balance of fats at the same time.

Vegetable oils - the new functional foods

Many components naturally present in vegetable oils have been shown to have beneficial properties. Once isolated and concentrated, a number of these compounds have proven effective in treating a wide range of conditions ranging from irritable bowel syndrome to chronic liver disease (1). Similarly, many of the fatty acids and other compounds present in vegetable oils have long been known to benefit our health. There is clearly great potential for developing functional vegetable oils.

Conjugated linoleic acids - the wonder nutrients?

The idea that conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) could protect against certain cancers, as well as heart disease is attractive but the evidence to date, while encouraging, is still far from conclusive.
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Other articles

The health effects of dietary unsaturated fatty acids - Summary

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Energy Balance

With only some basic data, the energy balance calculator defines your Body Mass Index (BMI), your daily energy requirements and if you are at risk for certain diseases.

ABOUT EUFIC
The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) is a non-profit organisation which communicates science-based information on nutrition and health, food safety and quality, to help consumers to be better informed when choosing a well-balanced, safe and healthful diet.

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This site was last updated 18/05/2012
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