Saturated fatty acids are a type of fat found in various foods, primarily in animal products like meat, butter, and cheese, as well as some plant oils such as coconut and palm oil. They are characterized by having no double bonds between carbon atoms in their fatty acid chains, which means they are "saturated" with hydrogen atoms. This structure makes them solid at room temperature. Consuming high amounts of saturated fatty acids can raise levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood, which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Health organizations often recommend limiting their intake to promote better cardiovascular health.