9 Best Foods With Omega-9 Fatty Acids (List and Benefits)

Omega-9 Fatty Acids | Omega-3-6-9 | Benefits | Foods List

Most of us have heard of omega-3 and probably omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-9 fatty acids, on the other hand, are not as well known.

Quite wrongly, as we will see, especially since they are essential for heart, brain, and general health!

What Is Omega-9 Fatty Acid?

Except for mead acid, all omega-9 fatty acids are monounsaturated fatty acids (or MUFAs).

Although omega-9 fatty acids can provide remarkable health benefits, they are not essential because the body can produce them. Nevertheless, it is vital to get them through food.

Since oleic acid is associated with several health benefits, it is the most studied omega-9 fatty acid.

Omega-3 vs. Omega-6 vs. Omega-9 Fatty Acids

All fats are long chains of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which are linked together by molecular bonds.

In contrast to the polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (or PUFAs), omega-9 fatty acids only have one double bond.

With this in mind, the designation as omega 3, 6, or 9 fatty acids is due to their chemical structure.

Because omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids are all unsaturated fats, they have at least one double bond – a weak point – in the carbon chain.

While Omega stands for the end of the chain of carbon atoms, the number, the position of the first double bond:

• Omega-3 fatty acids: The first double bond is at the 3rd carbon atom from the omega end, as this is not saturated with a hydrogen atom.
• Omega-6 fatty acids: The first weak point (double bond) is located just after the 6th carbon atom from the omega end.
• Omega-9 fatty acids: The first and usually only double bond is after the 9th carbon atom of the chain.

However, this tells us very little about the health benefits of Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.

However, the structure of a fatty acid merely shows how sensitive it is. The more double bonds they have, the more susceptible they are to air, pressure, and heat.

Accordingly, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are not suitable for cooking because they have several weak points (double bonds).

Since omega-9 fatty acids have only one double bond, they are suitable for medium heat cooking. But the best fats for frying are those with high saturated fatty acid content, such as virgin coconut oil, lard, or ghee.

While omega-3 fatty acids are known to be anti-inflammatory, omega-6 fatty acids from industrial seed oils are known to be inflammatory.

But what does omega-9 do?

What Are Omega-9 Foods Good For?

Unlike essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, the body can produce omega-9 fatty acids itself.

Therefore, you do not necessarily have to take them in with food. Nevertheless, the consumption of omega-9 foods yields a variety of health benefits.

Moreover, you can find omega-9 fatty acids in foods in various forms, whereby favorable properties predominate:

• Oleic acid (18:1): You’ll find the best-known monounsaturated fat in olive oil, macadamia nuts, goose fat, lard, or bacon. Accordingly, it is known as the fat behind the remarkable health benefits of olive oil.
• Mead acid (20:3): Since it’s polyunsaturated, it is the exception among omega-9 fatty acids. Primarily, you can find it in cartilage tissue. According to studies, it can positively influence chemotherapy treatment and help fight cancer (Kinoshita et al. 2016¹).
• Erucic acid (22:1): This monounsaturated fat has raised concerns about its potential danger to humans due to animal experiments. However, this is not an issue for our Omega-9 food list since you primarily find it in industrial vegetable oils, such as mustard oil (*).
• Nervonic acid (24:1): This monounsaturated omega-9 fat can improve memory function. For example, you can find nervonic acid in fatty fish and nuts such as macadamia (Yuan et al. 2013²).

Benefits of Eating Omega-9 Foods

As the subject of countless scientific studies, oleic acid is the most widely researched.

Hence, it’s unsurprising that this fat, for which olive oil is known to be healthy, is responsible for numerous positive effects of omega-9 fatty acids.

Weight Loss

As you might have heard, people living in the Mediterranean region enjoy way better health than, for example, the population of the United States.

Accordingly, this fact is often associated with prominent omega-9 food, olive oil.

Not only do olives have a very high content of monounsaturated fatty acids in general, but they are also incredibly rich in oleic acid.

Due to the extremely high consumption of olive oil, the Mediterranean diet can reduce abdominal fat and the risk of type 2 diabetes (Mashek et al. 2015³).

Correspondingly, the WHO (World Health Organization) concluded in a global comparison that the consumption of monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acids is the best predictor of a low level of obesity.

On top of that, omega-9 oleic acid in olive oil improves the function of blood vessels. Therefore, it reduces the general risk of cardiovascular disease (Pérez-Jiménez et al. 2002⁴).

Blood Pressure

Since hypertension is one of the main symptoms of cardiovascular disease, blood pressure is always in the spotlight.

In this sense, the effect of omega-9 fatty acids on hypertension is more than remarkable.

In one study, 23 hypertension patients were given a six-month diet high in either omega-9 fatty acids from olive oil or omega-6 fatty acids from safflower oil.

As a result, the participants who consumed food with omega-9 fatty acids were not only able to reduce their medication after six months, but eight of them could also stop taking it completely (Ferrara et al. 2000⁵).

Cholesterol

Although complex fiber-rich carbohydrates are often recommended to lower cholesterol, foods containing omega-9 fatty acids are a more effective alternative.

With this in mind, both dietary options seem to lower cholesterol levels.

However, while omega-9 foods increase HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and lower triglyceride levels, complex carbohydrates increase triglycerides (Mensink et al. 1987⁶).

Due to recent findings in biochemistry, we now know that high HDL and low triglyceride levels are far better indicators of good heart health than low cholesterol levels could ever be.

Insulin Sensitivity

Furthermore, eating more foods with omega-9 fatty acids benefits insulin sensitivity (Vessby et al. 2001⁷).

For example, in people with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, increased insulin sensitivity can make drug treatment obsolete and even reverse the disease if they eat the right diet.

Accordingly, a low-carbohydrate diet rich in omega-9 fatty acids could significantly improve insulin and blood sugar levels in people with diabetes (Parillo et al. 1992⁸).

Best Omega-9 Fatty Acids Foods List

Although nuts and extra virgin olive oil are known for monounsaturated fatty acids, this omega-9 food list might surprise you:

1. Avocados and Avocado Oil

Since there are hardly any more nutritious natural high-fat foods, avocado enjoys excellent popularity among nutrition-conscious people.

Therefore, avocados are the only fruits you should enjoy in large quantities. Accordingly, they are full of fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E, K, and B.

Not only can the omega-9 fatty acids in avocados be quickly burned by the body, but they also keep you full longer. Thus, they help you lose weight (Wien et al. 2013⁹).

Avocado oil is the highly concentrated version of the omega-9 fatty acids in the fruit. Also, they help you absorb nutrients from other foods more efficiently, such as in salads.

2. Lard

Not only can organic lard be used for frying due to its high content of saturated fatty acids, but it also contains monounsaturated fats.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not saturated but the omega-9 fatty acids, as in olive oil, which predominate in animal fats (*).

Since their fatty acid profile is much more stable, not only organic lard, but also goose fat, chicken fat, or beef tallow should always be preferred to industrial vegetable oils when cooking.

3. Eggs

Although athletes often eat only the protein, you should never do without the yolk.

With this in mind, the nutrients and monounsaturated fatty acids are hiding in the egg yolk.

Besides A, B, and D vitamins, it is full of healthy fats that help maintain and renew skin, bones, and muscles (*).

Because their nutrient profile is better, you should also always opt for pastured eggs.

4. Macadamia Nuts

The macadamia nut consists mainly of unsaturated fatty acids. With this intention, oleic acid makes up no less than 45% of the total nut (*).

Hence, studies show that macadamias improve insulin sensitivity and blood lipid levels. Furthermore, this omega-9 food counteracts abdominal fat and heart disease (Garg et al. 2007¹⁰).

5. Almonds

Almond flour can be a substitute for wheat flour. Therefore, almonds are wildly popular in a diet with healthy fats, such as the Keto diet.

Moreover, almonds can reduce the risk of heart disease and mortality in general, and can help you lose weight (Luo et al. 2014¹¹).

If you want to know more about the effects and portioning of healthy fats from nuts, I recommend my ultimate guide to nuts on keto.

6. Olives and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olives are known as a staple food of the Mediterranean diet.

As it is brimming with oleic acid, olive oil is probably the best-known food with omega-9 fatty acids.

Also, olives contain polyphenols as well as E and K vitamins, antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress and free radicals (Rahmani et al. 2014¹²).

Furthermore, the consumption of these healthy omega-9 foods can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, prostate, and colon cancer (Tuck et al. 2002¹³).

If you want the full health benefits of the omega-9 fatty acids, it is best to consume olive oil raw, for example, as a salad dressing. With this in mind, olive oil is only suitable for cooking at lower temperatures.

Moreover, always opt for cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil obtained from mechanical processes.

7. Pecans

With pecans, another omega-9 food with health benefits stems from the nut family.

Like olives and macadamias, pecans contain high levels of oleic acid.

This powerful monounsaturated fat reduces the risk of the following health conditions (McKay et al. 2018¹⁴):

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Type 2 diabetes
• Inflammation

Moreover, the whole nut consists of over 40% oleic acid (*).

8. Bacon

Although conventional wisdom still demonizes it, bacon is by no means unhealthy.

In the context of the current vegan trend, it is almost ironic that the same omega-9 fatty acid olive oil is famous for predominates in bacon – oleic acid (*).

Despite the standard classification as saturated fat, bacon consists of more monounsaturated than saturated fatty acids, which yield numerous health benefits.

In contrast to common belief, science confirmed several times that saturated fatty acids promote heart health and even prevent strokes (Mozaffarian et al. 2004¹⁵; Siri-Tariano et al. 2010¹⁶).

If you have the chance, take bacon from organic farming – its fat profile will be even better!

9. Grass-Fed Beef

Not only pork but also beef represents healthy food with omega-9 fatty acids in abundance (*).

Besides the omega-9 fats, grass-fed beef can offer a fatty acid with sensational health benefits: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

Besides a positive effect on heart health, conjugated linoleic acid helps to reduce body fat and maintain muscle mass (McCrorie et al. 2011¹⁷).

Since grass-fed beef contains about six times more CLA than grain-fed beef, natural feeding makes the difference (Dhiman et al. 1999¹⁸).

Eat Omega-9 Foods Instead of Supplements

Although foods with omega-9 fatty acids are not as well known as those with omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, they are just as important, if not more important, for health.

Accordingly, researchers have found that the ideal diet consists of a 1:6:1 ratio (Singh et al. 2010¹⁹).

Hence, consuming one part saturated, six parts MUFAs, such as Omega-9, and one part PUFAs is most balanced.

However, since it is easy to absorb omega-9 fatty acids in the form of natural foods, dietary omega-9 supplements are not necessary.

Due to the research about olive oil and the Mediterranean diet, we now know that omega-9 foods are essential for heart health and weight loss. So, grab some real omega-9 foods from the list.

Best Omega-9 Foods List FAQ

How much omega 9 should you have a day?

Although there is no recommended dosage per day, scientists suggest a ratio of omega-9 to saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids of 6:1:1. But since you can get natural foods with omega-9, such as nuts, olive oil, and fatty meat in abundance, there is no need to supplement.

What is the difference between omega 3 6 and 9?

The right balance of omega 3 6 9 fatty acids is essential for good health. With this in mind, people tend to consume too much omega-6 and too little omega-3 fatty acids.

Why Omega 6 is bad for you?

An abundance of omega-6 fatty acids, like in the standard American diet (SAD), leads to chronic inflammation. Moreover, omega-6 fatty acids in refined vegetable oils, such as canola, soy, corn, or grape seed, oxidize during production and thus harm your body.

Which Omega is best?

Because we get too much omega-6 and can get enough omega-9 through food, omega-3 fatty acids are the best to eat or supplement.

Studies

#1-7

¹Kinoshita Y, Yoshizawa K, Hamazaki K, Emoto Y, Yuri T, Yuki M, Kawashima H, Shikata N, Tsubura A. Dietary effects of mead acid on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary cancers in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Biomed Rep. 2016 Jan;4(1):33-39. doi: 10.3892/br.2015.530. Epub 2015 Oct 14. PubMed PMID: 26870330; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4726903.

²Yuan H, Wang QH, Wang YY, Xie CM, Xie KQ, Zhao XL. [Effect of docosahexaenoic acid and nervonic acid on the damage of learning and memory abilities in rats induced by 1-bromopropane]. Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi. 2013 Nov;31(11):806-10. PubMed PMID: 24370287.

³Mashek DG, Wu C. MUFAs. Adv Nutr. 2015 May;6(3):276-7. doi: 10.3945/an.114.005926. Print 2015 May. PubMed PMID: 25979493; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4424766.

⁴Pérez-Jiménez F, López-Miranda J, Mata P. Protective effect of dietary monounsaturated fat on arteriosclerosis: beyond cholesterol. Atherosclerosis. 2002 Aug;163(2):385-98. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9150(02)00033-3. Review. PubMed PMID: 12052487.

⁵Ferrara LA, Raimondi AS, d’Episcopo L, Guida L, Dello Russo A, Marotta T. Olive oil and reduced need for antihypertensive medications. Arch Intern Med. 2000 Mar 27;160(6):837-42. doi: 10.1001/archinte.160.6.837. PubMed PMID: 10737284.

⁶Mensink RP, Katan MB. Effect of monounsaturated fatty acids versus complex carbohydrates on high-density lipoproteins in healthy men and women. Lancet. 1987 Jan 17;1(8525):122-5. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)91965-9. PubMed PMID: 2879969.

⁷Vessby B, Uusitupa M, Hermansen K, Riccardi G, Rivellese AA, Tapsell LC, Nälsén C, Berglund L, Louheranta A, Rasmussen BM, Calvert GD, Maffetone A, Pedersen E, Gustafsson IB, Storlien LH. Substituting dietary saturated for monounsaturated fat impairs insulin sensitivity in healthy men and women: The KANWU Study. Diabetologia. 2001 Mar;44(3):312-9. doi: 10.1007/s001250051620. PubMed PMID: 11317662.

#8-13

⁸Parillo M, Rivellese AA, Ciardullo AV, Capaldo B, Giacco A, Genovese S, Riccardi G. A high-monounsaturated-fat/low-carbohydrate diet improves peripheral insulin sensitivity in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Metabolism. 1992 Dec;41(12):1373-8. doi: 10.1016/0026-0495(92)90111-m. PubMed PMID: 1461145.

⁹Wien M, Haddad E, Oda K, Sabaté J. A randomized 3×3 crossover study to evaluate the effect of Hass avocado intake on post-ingestive satiety, glucose and insulin levels, and subsequent energy intake in overweight adults. Nutr J. 2013 Nov 27;12:155. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-155. PubMed PMID: 24279738; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4222592.

¹⁰Garg ML, Blake RJ, Wills RB, Clayton EH. Macadamia nut consumption modulates favourably risk factors for coronary artery disease in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Lipids. 2007 Jun;42(6):583-7. doi: 10.1007/s11745-007-3042-8. Epub 2007 Apr 17. PubMed PMID: 17437143.

¹¹Luo C, Zhang Y, Ding Y, Shan Z, Chen S, Yu M, Hu FB, Liu L. Nut consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Jul;100(1):256-69. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.076109. Epub 2014 May 21. Review. PubMed PMID: 24847854.

¹²Rahmani AH, Albutti AS, Aly SM. Therapeutics role of olive fruits/oil in the prevention of diseases via modulation of anti-oxidant, anti-tumour and genetic activity. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2014;7(4):799-808. eCollection 2014. Review. PubMed PMID: 24955148; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4057827.

¹³Tuck KL, Hayball PJ. Major phenolic compounds in olive oil: metabolism and health effects. J Nutr Biochem. 2002 Nov;13(11):636-644. doi: 10.1016/s0955-2863(02)00229-2. PubMed PMID: 12550060.

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¹⁴McKay DL, Eliasziw M, Chen CYO, Blumberg JB. A Pecan-Rich Diet Improves Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2018 Mar 11;10(3). doi: 10.3390/nu10030339. PubMed PMID: 29534487; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5872757.

¹⁵Mozaffarian D, Rimm EB, Herrington DM. Dietary fats, carbohydrate, and progression of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Nov;80(5):1175-84. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/80.5.1175. PubMed PMID: 15531663; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1270002.

¹⁶Siri-Tarino PW, Sun Q, Hu FB, Krauss RM. Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Mar;91(3):535-46. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.27725. Epub 2010 Jan 13. PubMed PMID: 20071648; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2824152.

¹⁷McCrorie TA, Keaveney EM, Wallace JM, Binns N, Livingstone MB. Human health effects of conjugated linoleic acid from milk and supplements. Nutr Res Rev. 2011 Dec;24(2):206-27. doi: 10.1017/S0954422411000114. Review. PubMed PMID: 22296934.

¹⁸Dhiman TR, Anand GR, Satter LD, Pariza MW. Conjugated linoleic acid content of milk from cows fed different diets. J Dairy Sci. 1999 Oct;82(10):2146-56. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(99)75458-5. PubMed PMID: 10531600.

¹⁹Singh RB, Demeester F, Wilczynska A. The tsim tsoum approaches for prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cardiol Res Pract. 2010;2010:824938. doi: 10.4061/2010/824938. Epub 2010 Jun 29. PubMed PMID: 20671994; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2910415.