Fats are one of the basic nutrients and are essential for our health. Diet-induced weight gain only occurs when the calorie intake exceeds the actual requirement meaning there is a calorie surplus [1]. The relatively high calorie density of fats should definitely be taken into account. They contain 9.4 kcal per gram - in comparison, carbohydrates and proteins each contain 4.1 kcal / g [2]. According to the German Nutrition Society (DGE) a diet where around 30% of daily energy is taken up as fat, is recommended for adults [3]. Nevertheless, besides protein, fats are essential macronutrients for our body which are needed to build cell membranes and to protect internal organs. 

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble vitamins, which means that they rely on fat as a transport medium [4]. Fatty acids are an essential component of fats. Depending on the type and structure, we differentiate between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends that  mono-unsaturated fatty acids should account for more than one third of fat consumption [5].