Like triglycerides, phospholipids have a glycerol backbone. Phospholipids are similar in structure to triglycerides (Figure 5.8). Phospholipids can also be synthesized by the body, so they don’t have to be consumed in the diet. However, they play many important roles in the body and in foods. Phospholipids are found in both plants and animals but make up only about 2 percent of dietary lipids. We will take a closer look at these differences, along with food sources, in the next section. ![]() Foods contain different proportions of fatty acid types, and this influences disease risks associated with dietary patterns. Fatty acids are classified by their carbon chain length and degree of saturation. There are different types of fatty acids, and triglycerides can contain a mixture of them. The structure of a triglyceride is often depicted as a simplified drawing of the glycerol backbone and three fatty acids. In this unit, when we use the word fat, we are referring to triglycerides.įigure 5.7. The terms fats, oils, and triglycerides are often used interchangeably. We commonly call the triglycerides in our food “fats” and “oils.” Fats are lipids that are solid at room temperature, whereas oils are liquid. Naturally occurring triglycerides are found in many foods, including avocados, olives, corn, and nuts. But fat can also be hidden in foods, as in baked goods, dairy products like milk and cheese, and fried foods. Concentrated fats (butter and vegetable oil, for example) and marbling of fat in meat are obviously visible. More than 95 percent of lipids in the diet are in the form of triglycerides, some having a visible presence and some hidden in foods. Triglycerides are the main form of lipids in the body and in foods. On this page, we’ll learn about the structures of these three types of lipids, as well as their functions in the body and where you can find them in foods. ![]() There are three main types of lipids: triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols. Lipidsare a family of organic compounds that are mostly insoluble in water, meaning they do not mix well with water.
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