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

125,287 participants from 18 countries in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia took part in the PURE study. Their dietary situations were recorded through standard questionnaires. Researchers evaluated the relationship between various nutrients in daily diet, including total fat, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, and dietary cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases.

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

The study found that reducing saturated fatty acid intake or replacing saturated fatty acids with carbohydrates could lead to abnormal blood lipid metabolism in participants. Replacing saturated fatty acids with unsaturated fatty acids might improve some risk indicators but aggravate certain risks. The lipoprotein B/lipoprotein A ratio is the most comprehensive indicator for assessing cardiovascular lipid - metabolism - related risks.