Are You Eating The Right Fats?

Eating the wrong type of fat can shorten your life, breakthrough study claims.

09:12 08 July 2016

In a breakthrough US study, scientists have found that a diet containing high levels of saturated fat is associated with a greater risk of early death. Meanwhile, those whose diet contains low levels or saturated fat and higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, had a great chance of living longer.

 

While saturated fat mainly comes from red meat and dairy products, trans-fats are mostly derived from processed oils.  

 

In their study, the authors led by Dr Frank Hu, from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, concluded: "Replacement of saturated fats with unsaturated fats can confer substantial health benefits and should continue to be a key message in dietary recommendations."

 

British expert Dr Ian Johnson, from the Institute of Food Research, said: "The findings indicate that diets containing relatively high levels of saturated fat were associated with higher mortality compared to diets richer in unsaturated fats."

 

"These findings are consistent with current public health recommendations in the UK and elsewhere, and particularly with the concept of a beneficial Mediterranean-style diet, rich in unsaturated fats from plants, fish and olive oil."