Researchers found that diets high in plant-based fats were linked to lower mortality, while diets rich in animal fats increased the risk of death.
The study, which followed over 600,000 participants for two decades, showed that those who consumed the most plant fats had a 9% lower overall mortality risk and a 14% lower cardiovascular mortality risk. In contrast, higher intake of animal fats was associated with a 16% higher overall risk and a 14% higher risk of death from cardiovascular diseases.
While plant-based fats like those from grains and oils had clear benefits, not all fats are equal. Experts noted the importance of fat composition, highlighting that omega-3-rich sources like cold-water fish are beneficial, while plant fats like palm oil can be harmful due to their saturated fat content.
The findings suggest that replacing animal fats with certain plant fats may improve health outcomes. However, balancing omega-3 and omega-6 fats, along with other healthy dietary choices, is key.
