What are saturated fats and where are they commonly found?

Saturated fats are types of fats that have no double bonds between the carbon atoms in their fatty acid chains, which leads to a more solid structure at room temperature. This characteristic is significant in identifying saturated fats, as they tend to be solid at room temperature, making them distinguishable from unsaturated fats, which remain liquid due to their structural configurations.

Commonly, saturated fats are primarily found in animal products, such as meat, dairy products (like butter and cheese), and certain oils, such as coconut oil and palm oil. The composition of these fats contributes to their solid state and their potential effects on heart health and cholesterol levels.

This understanding of saturated fats highlights their presence in a diet predominantly consisting of both animal-derived and some plant-derived sources, illustrating why the selected answer correctly reflects the nature of saturated fats and their common origins.