Monounsaturated fat is the healthiest type of fat. MUFAs is liquids at room temperature and semisolid or solid when refrigerated.Olive oil is an example of a type of oil that contains monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fat helps lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels without negatively affecting the "good" HDL cholesterol. It promotes heart health and might help prevent cancer and a host of other ailments.

Health Benefits:

• Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) can increase the production of a super hormone that signals the body to burn off belly fat. In a study dieters who consumed a group of healthy fats called monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) lost 56% more central body fat (the belly bulge) than those on a low-fat diet. Even better, the MUFA eaters slimmed without cutting calories or doing additional exercise.
• MUFAs can help normalize blood sugar level. This is because MUFAs contain Adiponectin which enhances cells' ability to take in glucose for fuel, lowering the amount of harmful blood sugar circulating in the blood. This has been proven to lessen cravings for sugary foods and other carbohydrates by up to 81%.

• MUFAs help reduce inflammation. This is a good news since inflammation triggers a body-wide "severe stress" response that leads to the over production of the belly fat - storing stress hormone cortisol.
• Individuals who regularly consume MUFAs also experiences other benefits like improved heart health, increased energy, higher libido, lowered flu risk, improved memory and focus, and protection from cancer especially that of breast cancer, colon and prostate cancer.

What is behind MUFA's slimming power: Studies revealed when intake of MUFA's is increased, the body produces more adiponectin a hormone found in fatty tissue. Adiponectin triggers an internal switch that tells the body to stop breaking down muscles for energy (a process that slows metabolic rate) and start burning fat stores for fuel. In fact, studies show that a meal containing MUFA's significantly boosts fat burn for five hours straight.

MUFA rich foods:

• Avocado. Avocados can help prevent skin aging and its rich potassium content prevents fluid retention and high blood pressure. It can also doubles production of glutathione S-transferase, an enzyme that speeds the rate at which the liver removes fat trapping toxins from the body.
• Nuts. women who consume nuts such as almonds, peanuts and walnuts eat 48 fewer calories at mealtime. This is because MUFAs help control appetite and keep blood sugar steady.
• Olives and Olive oil, Peanut oil, Canola oil. Consuming just 10 olives or 2 tablespoons of olive oil slashes appetite by 22%. This is because fat slows digestion, which in turn causes the intestines and brain to release appetite-curbing hormones for several hours.
• Dark Chocolate. In addition to MUFAs, decadent dark chocolate is a rich natural source of phenylalanine. This amino acid is a crucial building block of dopamine, a brain chemical that suppresses appetite.