Research
Macro partitioning
High intake of saturated fat is not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease or mortality, and may be associated with lower total mortality and stroke risk in observational studies.
Observational data from large global cohorts suggests that saturated fat intake is not linked to higher heart disease or stroke risk, and may be linked to lower overall mortality. This challenges the standard advice to strictly limit these fats.
ModerateRefutesMEDIUM confidence
The PURE investigators found that saturated fat was not associated with risk of myocardial infarction or cardiovascular disease mortality and was significantly associated with lower total mortality as well as lower risk of stroke
Why this rating
Based on large observational cohort (PURE) and reviews, which show association but not causation.
Source
A short history of saturated fat: the making and unmaking of a scientific consensus
Nina Teicholz · Current Opinion in Endocrinology Diabetes and Obesity · 2022
DOI 10.1097/med.0000000000000791
narrative_reviewCited 34×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
Related findings · Macro partitioning
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- Trans fats should be completely eliminated from the diet, as they increase LDL cholesterol, decrease HDL cholesterol, and are directly associated with increased coronary risk.Strong
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