17 March 2014
Last updated at 17:15 ET
Animal products such as sausages and butter tend to be high in saturated fat
Contrary to guidance, there is no evidence that changing the
type of fat you eat from "bad" saturated to "healthier" polyunsaturated
cuts heart risk.
They looked at data from 72 studies with more than 600,000 participants.
Heart experts stressed the findings did not mean it was fine to eat lots of cheese, pies and cakes.
Saturated fat is the kind of fat found in butter, biscuits, fatty cuts of meat, sausages and bacon, and cheese and cream.
Most of us eat too much of it - men should eat no more than 30g a day and women no more than 20g a day.
There has been a big health drive to get more people eating unsaturated fats such as olive and sunflower oils and other non-animal fats - instead.
But research published in Annals of Internal Medicine, led by
investigators at the University of Cambridge, found no evidence to
support this.
Total saturated fat, whether measured in the diet or in the bloodstream as a biomarker, was not associated with coronary disease risk in the 72 observational studies.
Dr Rajiv Chowdhury, the lead author of the research , said:
"These are interesting results that potentially stimulate new lines of
scientific inquiry and encourage careful reappraisal of our current
nutritional guidelines."
The British Heart Foundation said the findings did not change the advice that eating too much fat is harmful for the heart.
Prof Jeremy Pearson, the charity's associate medical director, said: "This research is not saying that you can eat as much fat as you like.
"Too much fat is bad for you.
"But, sadly, this analysis suggests there isn't enough evidence to say that a diet rich in polyunsaturated fats but low in saturated fats reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
"Alongside taking any necessary medication, the best way to stay heart healthy is to stop smoking, stay active, and ensure our whole diet is healthy - and this means considering not only the fats in our diet but also our intake of salt, sugar and fruit and vegetables."
Saturated fat advice 'unclear'
Animal products such as sausages and butter tend to be high in saturated fat
Swapping butter for a sunflower spread may not lower heart risk, say British Heart Foundation researchers.
They looked at data from 72 studies with more than 600,000 participants.
Heart experts stressed the findings did not mean it was fine to eat lots of cheese, pies and cakes.
Continue reading the main story
"The findings are certainly not an invitation to gorge on a diet of cream cakes and fatty meat pies”
Too much saturated fat can
increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which can increase the
risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Most of us eat too much of it - men should eat no more than 30g a day and women no more than 20g a day.
There has been a big health drive to get more people eating unsaturated fats such as olive and sunflower oils and other non-animal fats - instead.
Polyunsaturated fats include sunflower spreads and plant oils such as olive oil
Total saturated fat, whether measured in the diet or in the bloodstream as a biomarker, was not associated with coronary disease risk in the 72 observational studies.
Continue reading the main story
Fat facts
- Butter, lard, ghee, palm oil and coconut oil are all high in saturated fat
- All of us need some fat in our diet for good health
- Eating too much fat can raise cholesterol, which increases heart risk
- A high fat diet can also make you overweight, which is another risk factor for heart disease
And polyunsaturated fat intake did not offer any heart protection.
The British Heart Foundation said the findings did not change the advice that eating too much fat is harmful for the heart.
Prof Jeremy Pearson, the charity's associate medical director, said: "This research is not saying that you can eat as much fat as you like.
"Too much fat is bad for you.
"But, sadly, this analysis suggests there isn't enough evidence to say that a diet rich in polyunsaturated fats but low in saturated fats reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
"Alongside taking any necessary medication, the best way to stay heart healthy is to stop smoking, stay active, and ensure our whole diet is healthy - and this means considering not only the fats in our diet but also our intake of salt, sugar and fruit and vegetables."
Related Stories
From other news sites
-
CBC Surprising findings from study on saturated fat 45 mins ago
-
MSN UK Call over saturated fats guidance 1 hr ago
-
Reuters UK Review questions the effects of dietary fats on heart disease 2 hrs ago
- About these results
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered