A team of international scientists led by the University of Cambridge are questioning the long-standing role of saturated fat in causing heart diseases after they found no evidence of the fat increasing the risk of cardiac events.
For decades, health experts have urged the public to keep away from saturated fats found in meat, butter and cheese, as much as possible and replace them with unsaturated fats found in foods like nuts, fish, seeds and vegetable oils.
The new research found no difference in the risk of heart disease between people who consumed saturated fats and the ones who kept to unsaturated fat consumption, The New York Times reports.
"These are interesting results that potentially stimulate new lines of scientific inquiry and encourage careful reappraisal of our current nutritional guidelines. Rajiv Chowdhury, the lead author of the new study and a cardiovascular epidemiologist in the department of public health and primary care at Cambridge University, said in a press release.
"Cardiovascular disease, in which the principal manifestation is coronary heart disease, remains the single leading cause of death and disability worldwide...... With so many affected by this illness, it is critical to have appropriate prevention guidelines which are informed by the best available scientific evidence."
For the study, the experts examined existing cohort studies and randomized trials on coronary risk and fatty acid intake. After analyzing 72 unique studies with over 600,000 participants from 18 nations, the researchers found that total saturated fatty acid (measured in the diet or in the bloodstream as a biomarker), was not linked with coronary disease risk.
Also, the scientists found no notable connection between consumption of saturated fats and cardiovascular risk, after studies involving total monounsaturated fatty acids, long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids were analyzed.
"This analysis of existing data 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. But large scale clinical studies are needed, as these researchers recommend, before making a conclusive judgement," Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said.
Pearson said that besides taking appropriate medication, individuals need to stop smoking, stay active and consume diets rich in fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy heart. Plus intake of salt and sugar should also be monitored along with fats.
The study is published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
