According To A Huge Study, The Healthiest Food For Our Heart Isn't Low-Carb Or Low-Fat

Is wholewheat or white pasta better for us? What about bread? And is the viral “carnivore” diet really the best? 

Well, according to a 30-year study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), which looked at almost 200,000 adults, those might not be the most important questions. 

“Focusing only on nutrient compositions but not food quality may not lead to health benefits,” the study’s lead author, Zhiyuan Wu, said. 

Neither low-carb nor low-fat diets in and of themselves seemed to protect from heart disease

This research, which involved a cumulative 5.2 million hours of monitoring, asked participants to fill in surveys about what they ate throughout the study. 

These were sorted into categories like healthy and unhealthy low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets by the researchers. 

The scientists compared this data to the rate of coronary heart disease (CHD) among participants. There were just over 20,000 cases of CHD in this research. 

They found that the “healthy” versions of both low-fat and low-carb diets – those which included a lot of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and unsaturated fats – were linked to a lower risk of CHD. 

But “unhealthy” versions of low-fat and low-carb diets were linked to a higher risk of CHD. These were higher in animal-based fats and protein and refined carbohydrates. 

What does that mean?

Researchers think this could show that the overall quality of our food might matter more than the exact macronutrient breakdown in our diets.

“These results suggest that healthy low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets may share common biological pathways that improve cardiovascular health,” Wu said. 

“Focusing on overall diet quality may offer flexibility for individuals to choose eating patterns that align with their preferences while still supporting heart health.” 

And in response to the study, editor-in-chief of the JACC, Dr Harlan M Krumholz, said: “This study helps move the conversation beyond the long-standing debate over low-carbohydrate versus low-fat diets. 

“The findings show that what matters most for heart health is the quality of the foods people eat. Whether a diet is lower in carbohydrates or fat, emphasising plant-based foods, whole grains, and healthy fats is associated with better cardiovascular outcomes.”