In July 2025, Wu Yanhua, a nutritionist in the Clinical Nutrition Department of South Hospital, published an article on the department's official account, pointing out that fatty acids are mainly composed of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids can increase total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the human body. People with abnormal blood lipids or overweight and obese individuals should consume less of these oils with high levels of saturated fatty acids.
Plant oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which can help reduce "bad cholesterol" and be beneficial for vascular health.
✅ On the one hand, monounsaturated fatty acids can lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Representative edible oils with high content of monounsaturated fatty acids include olive oil, tea oil, rapeseed oil, and avocado oil.
✅ On the other hand, polyunsaturated fatty acids are mainly referred to as omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids can reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, especially omega-3 fatty acids, as well as lower triglycerides and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which has a certain effect on preventing cardiovascular disease. Partially replacing saturated fatty acid intake with polyunsaturated fatty acids can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Representative edible oils with high content of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed oil and perilla oil.
Representative edible oils with high content of omega-6 fatty acids include corn oil, sunflower seed oil, soybean oil, and peanut oil.
