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| Saturated fat advice 'unclear' | Saturated fat advice 'unclear' |
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| Swapping butter for a sunflower spread may not lower heart risk, say British Heart Foundation researchers. | Swapping butter for a sunflower spread may not lower heart risk, say British Heart Foundation researchers. |
| Contrary to guidance, there is no evidence that changing the type of fat you eat from "bad" saturated to "healthier" polyunsaturated cuts heart risk. | 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. | 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. | |
| Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which can increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease. | Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which can increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| And polyunsaturated fat intake did not offer any heart protection. | And polyunsaturated fat intake did not offer any heart protection. |
| 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." | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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." |