The Study
The effect of replacing saturated fat with mostly n-6 polyunsaturated fat on coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
This study combines results from many smaller experiments to see if swapping certain fats in our diet helps prevent heart problems. It shows that changing from saturated fats to certain vegetable oils probably doesn't help prevent heart attacks or death from heart disease, based on the best-designed experiments they looked at.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
Scientists looked at many studies to see if eating less saturated fat and more vegetable oils reduces heart problems.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 539 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1This means it probably doesn't help or harm your heart or how long you live.
- 2In good studies, no change: heart events 1.06, deaths 1.07 (1.0 means no effect).
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Nutrition Journal
Year
2017
Authors
Steven Hamley
Related Content
Claims (6)
Swapping saturated fats (like butter) with certain vegetable oils in your food doesn't really lower your chances of having heart problems or dying early, according to big studies.
Some studies said swapping certain fats in your diet is good for heart health, but they might have been wrong because other factors like different medicines or other diet changes messed up the results.
Some messy studies made it look like swapping certain fats in your diet lowers heart disease risk, but when scientists did better studies, they found that wasn't really true.
Swapping saturated fats (like butter) with certain vegetable oils doesn't change how long people live overall, according to research studies.
A study in Finland had flaws in how it was set up and didn't account for certain medications, making it seem like swapping certain fats was better for heart health than it really was.
Scientists found a link between eating saturated fat and heart disease by leaving out data from different countries that didn't fit their idea.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.