Quality of fats and carbs, not quantity, key to preventing heart disease

18/02/2026

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 18: Dr. Hala Bader Al-Essa, a faculty member at the College of Public Health in Kuwait University and a researcher in the Nutrition Department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, participated in a largescale global study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. This is a scientific achievement that cements the presence of Kuwait in international research forums. The study confirmed that the quality of fat and carbohydrate sources is more important than the quantity in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease.

The study, led by researchers from Harvard in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, followed nearly 200,000 participants across three long-term American studies to monitor the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease -- the leading cause of heart attack. The results showed that low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets reduced the risk of heart disease, especially when based on healthy food sources, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and healthy vegetable oils.

In contrast, diets based on refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and red and processed meats are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. The study showed that adhering to healthy diets — whether low in carbohydrates or low in fat — reduced the risk of coronary artery disease by 13 percent to 15 percent, while unhealthy diets increased the risk by 12 percent to 14 percent. The results revealed improvements in key biomarkers among those following high-quality diets, including higher level of good cholesterol (HDL), lower triglycerides, and improved inflammation markers.

These factors contribute to reducing plaque buildup in the arteries and promoting longterm cardiovascular health. Al-Essa disclosed that her participation in the study was supported by the Kuwait Heart Association, in line with its commitment to support Kuwaiti researchers participating in international studies and promoting the dissemination of evidence-based scientific recommendations to the local community. According to Al-Essa, this contributes to raising health awareness and encouraging the adoption of healthier and more sustainable dietary patterns.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff