Re: I read that monounsaturated fat is good for us - is this true, if so, why?

Well, first of all, it depends on how you KEEP and USE them. Monounsaturated fats can be found in frying oils, etc. They have better properties for frying than butter or margarines. When used properly, they can protect our fried foods from becoming rancid; thus preventing free radicals (those that makes cancer, early aging, etc.) from "invading" our bodies. This is because they have a double bond (will be disscussed in Chemistry lecture) in their carbon chain that is easily oxidized when needed, acting as anti-oxidant for foods.

They cannot give us benefit when you keep them in a sun-exposed place, or in an open container, etc. Also, don't use them for frying more than 2-3 times. After two or three usages, they become rancid, thus promoting the release of free radicals.