Stearic acid is a long-chain saturated fat (it is saturated with hydrogen molecules which lead to its solidity at room temperature, among many other properties). Stearic acid is found in cocoa butter (chocolate!), sheanut oil, butterfat, beef tallow, and lard (animal fats that I always assumed to be "unhealthy).
The Hershey Center for Health & Nutrition (consider the source) has compiled several research studies which find that stearic acid is a "special fat"... It is a saturated fat similar to others like myristic acid, lauric acid, and palmitic acid, but differs in one important way: while all of these other saturated fats are proven to raise cholesterol levels, consuming stearic acid does not.
A diet high in saturated fat is highly correlated with heart disease. These studies' findings, however, suggest that stearic acid in itself is not a risk for heart disease, and perhaps could be substituted for other fats in the diet for those who struggle with their blood cholesterol levels. But because stearic acid is usually consumed along with other saturated fats (butterfat is only 12% stearic acid...so what's the rest?) it would be difficult to say that it is "healthy" or "safe" to eat.
An interesting challenge to the sweeping generalization that fat is bad for you!
Griel, Amy, Ph.D, RD. "Stearic Acid: A Unique Saturated Fat". The Hershey Center
for Health and Nutrition.
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