Overview

Obesity has become a global health concern, with millions of dollars spent every year in an attempt to slow down this epidemic.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people who die from obesity-related complications exceeds that of famine.

Many people associate obesity with the number that shows up on the scale. With that said, this is only a part of the story.

The body fat percentage plays a more important role, especially the fat that accumulates in certain areas of the body, such as the abdomen.

Unfortunately, fat is associated with a bad reputation due to its connection with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke; however, not all fats were created equal.
In this article, we will cover a few natural foods that are rich in fats and review their positive health benefits.

Natural foods rich in healthy fats

Avocados

Avocados are among the healthiest fruits in the world. In fact, their content in healthy fats and low carbs made them the go-to food for people on the ketogenic diet.
Most people are surprised when they learn that avocados consist of 80% fat. The healthy nature of the lipids found in avocados makes them ideal for individuals with dyslipidemia (i.e., high triglycerides levels, high LDL, low HDL).

On top of this, avocados are rich in fiber, which helps with the digestive process and the recycling of cholesterol.

Cheese

If you ask your entourage about cheese, you will notice that it has an iffy reputation.
In reality, consuming cheese in moderate amounts yields a number of health benefits as it’s very rich in good fats. Moreover, unlike other types of dairy products, cheese does not increase your risk of heart disease.

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate is another great source of healthy fats, which account for 65% of its calories.

Besides fats, dark chocolate contains a unique antioxidant known as resveratrol, which has impressive anti-aging properties. In fact, many scientists believe it is one of the few substances in the world that can increase life expectancy.

Note that it’s important to opt for dark chocolate that has at least 70% of cocoa. Other forms may contain added sugars and lower content of nutritious ingredients.

Whole eggs

Last, and certainly not least, whole eggs.

During the past few decades, researchers have extensively studied the effects of whole eggs on the human body. They found that yolks are rich in fatty acids and cholesterol.
Despite this, there is no evidence that supports the negative effects of whole eggs on the lipid panel. In fact, some research suggests that eating whole eggs in moderation could actually help with regulating blood cholesterol.

Furthermore, eggs contain many other healthy nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals.
Takeaway message

Healthy fats can provide your body with numerous health benefits that improve your general well-being and lower your risk of debilitating diseases.

We hope that this article managed to highlight the role of healthy fats in improving your health.