The role of diet is a key part in the development and prevention of heart disease. It is one of the things you can change that will impact all other heart disease risk factors. Comparisons between a diet low in saturated fats, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and the typical diet of someone living in the developed world show that in the former there is nearly a 75% reduction in the risk of new major cardiac events. Unsaturated fats, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated are beneficial for heart health. They are present in fish, nuts, seeds and vegetables. Saturated fats are found in animal products. Trans fats are oils that have been hydrogenated to turn them into semi-hard fats and are found in processed food like shop-bought cakes, stock cubes, and a range of other products you buy every day. Saturated and trans fats raise cholesterol levels in the blood, which in turn can lead to heart disease.
