Reference Number: 277
Year: 2017
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Diabetes | Heart Disease
Inclusions: Dairy>Butter
Summary
Coronary artery disease pathogenesis and treatment urgently requires a paradigm shift. Despite popular belief among doctors and the public, the conceptual model of dietary saturated fat clogging a pipe is just plain wrong. A landmark systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies showed no association between saturated fat consumption and (1) all-cause mortality, (2) coronary heart disease (CHD), (3) CHD mortality, (4) ischaemic stroke or (5) type 2 diabetes in healthy adults. Similarly in the secondary prevention of CHD there is no benefit from reduced fat, including saturated fat, on myocardial infarction, cardiovascular or all-cause mortality. It is instructive to note that in an angiographic study of postmenopausal women with CHD, greater intake of saturated fat was associated with less progression of atherosclerosis whereas carbohydrate and polyunsaturated fat intake were associated with greater progression.
What does this mean for a Baker?
While this study is unable to offer any practical applications to baking, it is an important study as it highlights the finding that the amount of saturated fat that we consume has no links to the development of heart disease, diabetes or strokes. This suggests that there are no benefits to reducing our saturated fat consumption with regards to lowering the risk of developing these health conditions.