The relationship between daily diet and cardiovascular disease risk has not been clearly elucidated. Recently, researchers investigated the effects of daily dietary elements on blood lipids and blood pressure.

125287 participants from 18 countries in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia participated in the PURE study, and their dietary habits were recorded through a standard survey questionnaire. Researchers evaluated the relationship between various nutrients in daily diet (total fat, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, and dietary cholesterol) and cardiovascular disease.

The research lasted for 10 years. The study found that participants with higher intake of total fat and various types of fat had higher levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein A1, but lower levels of triglycerides, cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein B/lipoprotein A1; Participants with high carbohydrate intake had lower levels of total cholesterol, lipoprotein B, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein A1, but higher ratios of triglycerides, cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein B/lipoprotein A1; Participants with high intake of total fat, saturated fatty acids, and carbohydrates had higher blood pressure levels, while those with high intake of protein had lower blood pressure levels. Replacing carbohydrates with saturated fatty acids can lead to severe lipid abnormalities, while replacing carbohydrates with unsaturated fatty acids can improve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure abnormalities, but exacerbate high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride abnormalities. The correlation between saturated fatty acid intake and cardiovascular events is reflected by the ratio of lipoprotein B/lipoprotein A, and is not correlated with other lipid metabolism indicators.

Research has found that reducing saturated fatty acid intake or replacing saturated fatty acids with carbohydrates can lead to abnormal blood lipid metabolism in participants. The replacement of saturated fatty acids with unsaturated fatty acids may improve some risk indicators, but may exacerbate certain risks. The ratio of lipoprotein B/lipoprotein A is the most comprehensive indicator for assessing cardiovascular lipid metabolism related risks.