Final answer:
Coconut and palm oils are more similar to animal fats and may contribute to cardiovascular disease because they contain fewer double bonds, leading to higher saturated fatty acid content.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coconut oil and palm oil are more like animal fats compared to other plant oils because they contain fewer double bonds, making them higher in saturated fatty acids. These oils are solid at room temperature, reminiscent of animal fats.
Consuming oils with a high amount of saturated fatty acids can increase the risk of heart disease by elevating LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. They lack the “kink” provided by double bonds found in unsaturated fatty acids, which keeps fats liquid at room temperature and helps in improving blood cholesterol levels.
In summary, the feature of coconut and palm oil that may contribute to cardiovascular disease is that they contain fewer double bonds than other plant oils, leading to a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids.