Macro partitioning
Population-wide restriction of dietary saturated fat intake below current levels does not reduce cardiovascular disease risk and may increase stroke risk, as evidenced by recent large-scale observational studies and meta-analyses of randomized trials.
Current evidence suggests that strictly limiting saturated fat intake for the general population does not lower heart disease risk and may even increase stroke risk. Focus on whole food sources of fat (like dairy and meat) within a balanced diet rather than aiming for a specific low-saturated-fat percentage, especially if you are replacing fats with refined carbohydrates.
The totality of available evidence does not support further limiting the intake of such foods. ... Overall, the results of randomized clinical trials and observational cohort studies do not support a rationale for population-wide restriction of dietary saturated fat to a target below current intake levels.
Why this rating
The paper cites large prospective cohorts (PURE, UK Biobank) and meta-analyses, though it acknowledges methodological flaws in older RCTs.
Source
Saturated Fats and Health: A Reassessment and Proposal for Food-Based Recommendations
Arne Astrup et al. · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · 2020
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →