Less fat means more life
Scientists from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have discovered the benefits of a low-fat diet for the health of postmenopausal women.
Such a diet, as the name implies, limits the intake of fats, including saturated and cholesterol, and includes less than 15% of calories derived from fat. Lipids provide a person with energy in the ratio of 9 calories per gram, while carbohydrates and proteins provide 4 calories per gram, so choosing foods with a low fat content allows you to eat a larger amount of food with the same number of calories.
The study was launched in 1993 in the USA, it involved almost 49,000 postmenopausal women. The aim was to test whether such a diet reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, colorectal cancer and coronary heart disease. 9 years after the start of the study, scientists did not notice any changes, but after almost 20 years, unambiguously positive results appeared:
- Reduction of mortality from all causes after breast cancer by 15-35%.
- Reducing the occurrence of insulin-dependent diabetes by 13-25%.
- A 15-30% reduction in coronary heart disease among 23,000 women without initial hypertension or previous cardiovascular diseases.
The results of the study indicate that diets with a reduced fat content, but rich in fruits, vegetables and cereals, have health benefits without any observed side effects.
Unlike other studies examining the link between diet, cancer and other diseases, this is a long-term randomized controlled trial. The study participants deliberately changed the concept of nutrition under the supervision of experienced nutritionists.
There are many diets that provide short-term results like weight loss, but this study scientifically confirms the long-term health effects of a low-fat diet.
The article by Prentice et. al Low-Fat Dietary Pattern among Postmenopausal Women Influences Long-Term Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, and Diabetes Outcomes is published in the Journal of Nutrition.
Elena Panasyuk, portal "Eternal Youth" based on the materials of Fred Hutch: New study confirms the long-term benefits of a low-fat diet.