Together with other modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets – including high intakes of saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids – are a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and other diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Saturated fatty acids are found primarily in foods from animal sources and in some plant-derived oils and fats. Trans-fatty acids can be produced industrially by the partial hydrogenation of vegetable and fish oils, but also occur naturally in meat and dairy products from ruminant animals.
This systematic review brings together the most current scientific evidence on health effects of saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake, including the effects of replacing saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids in the diet with other macronutrients on a wide range of key health outcomes.