There’s a hint that eating more saturated fat might raise the risk of dying from heart disease, but the data is too messy and uncertain to say for sure.

Scientific Claim

The association between saturated fat and coronary heart disease mortality shows a non-significant trend toward increased risk (RR 1.15, 95% CI: 0.97–1.36), but the evidence is very low certainty due to high inconsistency and potential confounding.

Original Statement

“There was no convincing lack of association between saturated fat and CHD mortality (1.15, 0.97 to 1.36; P=0.10)... The certainty of associations between saturated fat and all outcomes was 'very low.'”

From study:Unknown Title

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The claim correctly uses 'trend' and 'very low certainty' to reflect the study’s cautious interpretation. The authors note the P-value is borderline and heterogeneity is high.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Unknown Title

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Human

This study found that eating saturated fat might slightly raise the risk of heart disease, but the link isn’t strong enough to be sure — and the science behind it isn’t very reliable due to mixed results and possible errors in the studies.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Unknown Title

Score: 48

DOI: 10.1136/bmj.h3978

Similar Assertions

Eating more saturated fat, like butter or fatty meat, doesn't seem to raise your risk of heart disease, according to a big review of 16 long-term studies of adults.

91%

Eating more saturated fat — like in butter or red meat — doesn't appear to raise the chance of dying from heart disease, based on long-term studies of nearly 90,000 people.

91%

Overall, eating more saturated fat doesn't seem to increase your risk of having any kind of heart disease or stroke, according to a large review of 21 long-term studies.

87%

Eating more saturated fat from meat, butter, or cheese doesn’t clearly make people more likely to die early or get heart disease or diabetes, but the science isn’t strong enough to be sure.

86%

Eating more fat in your diet doesn't seem to make you more likely to die from heart disease, according to long-term studies of nearly 90,000 people.

86%