The Saturated Fats Good for High-Heat CookingThe Saturated Fats Good for High-Heat Cooking
Food & Nutrition

The Saturated Fats Good for High-Heat Cooking

Saturated fats exhibit greater stability when exposed to heat and oxygen, its type and smoke point determine how they should be used appropriately.
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Frying pan with melting butter. New Africa/Shutterstock
By Marina Zhang
Updated:
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This is part 3 in “Debunking the Fat Dogma”

In this series, we will break down the actual health effects of vegetable oils and whether they are better alternatives to saturated fats. Follow this series to find out whether what you are using to cook with is really the best option.

For half a century, health agencies and experts have recommended vegetable oils over saturated fats for cooking. They have told the public that vegetable oils are cardioprotective. However, research suggests these oils may not be as innocuous as they seem.

While saturated fat has historically faced criticism due to its association with blood cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease, emerging studies have provided a more nuanced understanding of this topic, including this fat’s potential advantages in high-temperature cooking.