For decades now, we have wrongly been led to believe that all fat is bad for us, and in truth, that fat is responsible for virtually every health ailment known to man. We now know however, that this is not the case. Yes, we know that some fats are bad for us, namely trans fats and many forms of hydrogenated fats. These are typically known as bad fats, and it is these fats that are responsible for weight gain, clogged arteries, cardiovascular disease, and much more besides. Some forms of fat however, are not only good for us, but many experts now believe that they’re essential. If you’ve been deliberately avoiding fat, then you may wish to think again as we look at 4 healthy reasons to eat fat.
Great for the heart – One of the main advantages associated with eating healthy fats is the fact that monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, have been proven to provide numerous health benefits for the heart. These fats have been found to reduce blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, which is the unhealthy cholesterol that clogs the arteries. This therefore, makes healthy fats great for the heart and for reducing cardiovascular disease. Foods such as almonds, flaxseeds and wild salmon contain polyphenols and omega 3 fatty acids that provide numerous health benefits for the heart, making these, and many other foods, the ultimate health foods.
Reduced bad cholesterol – As mentioned previously, we have just mentioned how LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol is known as “bad” cholesterol, but why is that? Well, LDL cholesterol is responsible for the fatty build-ups and deposits that block the arteries, which causes all kinds of other health issues. Blocked arteries can result in poor circulation, hypertension (high blood pressure) an increased risk of stroke, kidney failure/damage, heart disease and heart attack. Another benefit of eating healthy fats is the fact that they help reduce LDL cholesterol by boosting HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol because it is actually very beneficial as it helps lower harmful cholesterol.
Good fats can help you to lose weight – In the past, if you wanted to lose fat, “experts” recommended that you adopt a virtually fat-free diet for a number of weeks/months. We now know that healthy fats can actually help you to lose weight, and here’s how. Basically, healthy fats boost your metabolism and therefore allow you to burn off more calories stored in body fat, and convert them into energy. This means that not only are you burning calories, you are also increasing energy levels so you become more active. The more active you become, the more calories you can burn off. When consumed individually, healthy fats are not actually stored as body fat at all, they are instead quickly metabolized and used as fuel for the body. Therefore, by eating fat, you can ironically help to lose fat from your frame.
Healthy fats are great for the brain – Finally, the last benefit of healthy fats that we’ll be looking at today, is the fact that healthy fats are so beneficial for the brain. Diets rich in healthy fat sources have been found to help enhance cognitive function, prevent cognitive decline, and help ward off degenerative diseases and conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. The human brain itself is comprised of close to 60 percent fat, including DHA, which improves communication between cells. This is why oily fish is known as a “brain food” because it is so rich in good fats that improve brain health and function.