A high consumption of crisps, cakes and burgers is harmful to your heart, latest evidence has demonstrated.
New research conducted at Oxford University has discovered that a high intake of saturated fat can trigger heart complications.
Foods high in saturated fat include cheese crackers, some popcorns, ice cream, sausages, pies, burgers, butter, biscuits, cakes, pastries, fatty cuts of meat, chocolate, hard cheese and crisps.
- Plant-based ultra-processed foods linked to poor health outcomes
- Cancer cases among young people on the rise due to ultra-processed foods and obesity
- Cardiometabolic risk in children increased by high intake of ultra-processed foods
During the study, the team of researchers analysed one group of people who were eating foods high in saturated fat and another group who were consuming foods that contain healthier polyunsaturated fats, such as nuts and oily fish.
They found that the participants in both groups did not gain weight. However, the individuals in the saturated fats group saw a bigger decline in their heart health compared to those in the healthier polyunsaturated fats group.
Participants who were eating saturated fats were more at risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Meanwhile, the participants who regularly consumed polyunsaturated fats experienced improvements to their health.
According to the findings, eating polyunsaturated fats can reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol levels by around 10%.
- Glucose and fatty acid handled differently by female and male muscles
- Children whose mothers have type 1 diabetes less likely to have condition than if their father does
- Cardiometabolic benefits of swapping saturated animal fats for plant-based fats
Senior author Nikola Srnic said: “It’s the type of fat, not the amount of fat, that’s important. It is interesting how you can see such a change so quickly, within three weeks.
“For diets that were higher in saturated fat we asked people to increase consumption of butter, whole fat dairy products, cakes and pastries.”
Nikola added: “The polyunsaturated fat diet is higher in fats from fish, certain vegetable oils and certain nuts and seeds.
“The results suggest that a diet high in saturated fat may negatively change cardiovascular disease risk factors even when a person does not gain weight. On the other hand, we saw protective effects if a person ate a diet high in polyunsaturated fat.
