polyunsaturated fat

noun

plural polyunsaturated fats

: an unsaturated fat that has more than one double bond in its hydrocarbon chain, that is liquid at room temperature, and that is found especially in fish, walnuts, and many oils (such as sunflower, corn, and soybean oil)

… polyunsaturated fats lower the risk of heart attack by making blood less sticky and thus less likely to form blood clots. The fatty acids also reduce elevated blood levels of triglycerides, another cardiovascular risk factor.

—Consumer Reports on Health

Shellfish are also low in total fat and saturated fat. … And they're also reasonably good sources of Omega-3s, the polyunsaturated fats known to lower blood cholesterol, reduce blood clotting, and in animals, prevent heart disease.

—Eileen Behan

compare monounsaturated fat, saturated fat

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

polyunsaturated fat

noun

: an unsaturated fat that has more than one double bond in its hydrocarbon chain, that is liquid at room temperature, and that is found especially in fish, walnuts, and many oils (such as sunflower, corn, and soybean oil)

Shellfish are also low in total fat and saturated fat—more important considerations than dietary cholesterol. And they're also reasonably good sources of Omega-3s, the polyunsaturated fats known to lower blood cholesterol, reduce blood clotting, and in animals, prevent heart disease.

—Eileen Behan, American Health

compare monounsaturated fat, saturated fat