Cutting common food slashes cancer and heart attack risk by 15%, as per a recent study highlighted by Wales Online. Researchers suggest that substituting butter with plant-based oils like corn, rapeseed, or olive oil could significantly reduce the risk of premature death. The research involved analyzing the data of more than 221,000 adults over a span of 30 to 50 years. It was observed that individuals with the highest intake of butter had a 15% higher risk of dying from any cause compared to those with the lowest intake. On the contrary, those with the highest intake of plant-based oils saw a 16% reduced risk of mortality. This new finding could have far-reaching implications for public health.
The study documented over 50,000 deaths among the participants, out of which 12,241 were attributed to cancer and 11,240 to heart disease. After adjusting for various other factors, it was found that a higher intake of butter was associated with a 12% increased risk of cancer death. Conversely, an increase in plant-based oil intake was linked to an 11% lower risk of cancer-related deaths and a 6% lower risk of heart disease-related deaths. Substituting just 10g per day of butter with an equivalent amount of plant-based oils was estimated to reduce overall mortality by 17% and cancer-related mortality by 17%.
The data for this research was sourced from prominent US-based studies, including the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Diet assessments were conducted using food questionnaires every four years. According to Tom Sanders, a nutrition and dietetics expert from King’s College London, the study underscores the importance of choosing unsaturated vegetable oils over butter due to their healthier fat content. This finding comes at a time when there has been misinformation circulating on social media regarding the potential harmful effects of vegetable oils.
In conclusion, the researchers emphasized that a shift from butter to plant-based oils in daily dietary habits could offer significant benefits in terms of longevity and disease prevention. The study, published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, serves as a reminder of the critical role diet plays in overall health and well-being. While butter consumption was found to be linked with increased mortality, plant-based oils emerged as a healthier alternative with potential life-saving implications.
This compelling research sheds light on the impact of dietary choices on health outcomes and presents a clear message for individuals to consider when making food choices. The findings support existing knowledge on the benefits of plant-based oils and highlight the potential risks associated with high butter consumption. As public awareness grows regarding the importance of a balanced diet, studies like this serve to underscore the impact of such choices on long-term health. The implications of this research can be profound, offering individuals a simple yet powerful way to reduce their risk of life-threatening diseases like cancer and heart attacks.