Before processed foods, people rarely got heart attacks—even when they ate lots of animal fat.
Scientific Claim
Prior to the widespread consumption of industrial seed oils and refined carbohydrates in the early 20th century, clinical cases of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were exceptionally rare in human populations consuming diets high in animal fats.
Original Statement
“In the year 1776, America was founded. From this time until 1909, the American diet was built around whole, unprocessed foods. It was rich in meat, eggs, butter, and seasonal produce. Interestingly, cardiovascular issues such as heart disease and heart attacks were either non-existent or incredibly rare. There isn't a single case of a heart attack in the medical records from this period.”
Context Details
Domain
cardiology
Population
human
Subject
pre-1909 human populations consuming animal-based diets
Action
exhibited
Target
exceptionally rare clinical incidence of cardiovascular disease
Intervention Details
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
Rapid Drop in Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in Czech Male Population—What Was Actually behind It?
This study found that when people ate less animal fat, their heart disease rates dropped—meaning animal fats may actually contribute to heart disease, not protect against it.