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Nutrition

The fatty acid profile of the high stability oils from Corteva help create healthier products by enabling both food manufacturers and the foodservice industry to use a 0g trans fat label without sacrificing shelf life or performance.

About Good Fats

Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are known by another name: omegas. There are three types of omega fatty acids: omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. All three omega fatty acids play specific roles in overall health, which is why they are considered good fats.

Polyunsaturated Fats

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Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are two types of polyunsaturated fat. Fatty acids are considered essential for human health because the body cannot manufacture them.

  • Omega-3s are found in canola, flax and soybean oils, oily fishes such as salmon and tuna, and in other sources such as walnuts and omega-3 eggs. The positive health effects of omega-3s include brain development, heart health, cholesterol regulation, cognition and an increase in mood.
  • Omega-6s are found in plant-based oils such as soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower and cottonseed, and other sources such as nuts, seeds, meats and eggs. The positive health effects of omega-6s include heart health and cholesterol regulation.

Monounsaturated Fats

table spread of healthy oils

Omega-9 fatty acids are one type of monounsaturated fat. Unlike omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, the body can produce omega-9 fatty acids, but they are beneficial when obtained from food.

  • The primary omega-9 fatty acid is oleic acid. Oleic acid is commonly found in canola, olive, peanut, safflower and sunflower oils, as well as in avocados, olives and nuts, including almonds, cashews, macadamias, peanuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts.
  • Consuming monounsaturated fats may induce a variety of positive health outcomes. Research shows monounsaturated fats may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke due to their ability to increase “good” HDL cholesterol, decrease “bad” LDL cholesterol and eliminate plaque buildup in arteries.

Dietary Guidelines

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among American adults. However, there are positive steps those affected by heart disease can take to improve their health condition. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that there is credible evidence to support a qualified health claim that consuming oleic acid in edible oils, such as Omega-9 Canola Oil, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Although many consumers say they simply try to eat healthy in general, 23% of consumers say they actively seek out foods or follow a diet for health benefits. Most often the benefits they seek are weight loss, energy, digestive health and heart health.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans summarized the need for good fats aptly when they called for replacing bad fats, such as trans and saturated fats, with good fats, such as mono and polyunsaturated fats. Trans and saturated fats are considered “bad fats" because they increase LDL or "bad" cholesterol, which research has shown increases risk of coronary heart disease. On the other hand, monounsaturated fats provide health benefits, such as protecting against metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.