Plant-Based Oils

This chapter provides an overview of the major types of fatty acids, including polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fatty acids. It reviews the differences in structural and biochemical properties of these fatty acids to provide a foundation for understanding the metabolic effects of each. We describe plant-based oils that are composed primarily of polyunsaturated fatty acids (soybean, corn, and walnut oil), monounsaturated fatty acids (canola and rapeseed, sunflower and safflower, olive, and peanut oil), saturated fatty acids (palm and palm kernel and coconut oil), and trans-fatty acids (partially hydrogenated vegetable oil). Finally, we will examine and compare the effects of these different oils on metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes based on a comprehensive review of the current literature.