High fat diets lower heart disease risk by 61%

This study was published in the International journal of environmental research and public health 2009 Oct;6(10):2626-38

Study title and authors:
Food choices and coronary heart disease: a population based cohort study of rural Swedish men with 12 years of follow-up.
Holmberg S, Thelin A, Stiernström EL.
Research and Development Centre, Kronoberg County Council, Box 1223, SE-351 12 Växjö, Sweden. sara.holmberg@ltkronoberg.se

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20054459

This study involved 1,752 men over 12 years and investigated the association of various food items with heart disease.

The study found:
(a) Daily intake of fruit and vegetables was associated with a 61% lower risk of coronary heart disease when combined with a high dairy fat consumption.
(b) Daily intake of fruit and vegetables was associated with a 70% higher risk of coronary heart disease when combined with a low dairy fat consumption.
(c) Choosing wholemeal bread or eating fish at least twice a week showed no association with the outcome.

We are always been advised by the 'experts' that fruit and vegetables are good for our health. This study finds this is only true if they are consumed with a high fat diet. Eating them with a low fat diet leads to a higher risk of heart disease.