Despite Drops, Americans Are Still Consuming Too Much Trans Fat

Despite numerous studies indicating the dangers of an unhealthy diet, recent findings published in the Journal of the American Heart Association show that even as Americans are eating less trans fats and saturated fats than they did in the past, the consumption rates are still higher than recommended by experts.

Researchers examined a set of six surveys from the Minnesota Heart Survey that took place between 1980 and 2009. The size included more than 12,000 people between the ages of 25 and 74 in the Minneapolis.

Findings revealed that trans fat consumption fell by 32 percent in men over the past 30 years and about 35 percent in women. However, the drop was not quite enough. As it stands, the American Heart Association recommends that men and women keep that percentage at less than one. Yet 1.9 percent of men's daily calories and 1.7 percent of women's daily calories consisted of trans fat.

Furthermore, while consumption of saturated fats also declined, researchers calculated that people's saturated fats intake account for about 11.4 percent of their daily calorie intake, when the AHS only recommends about six percent consumption of saturated fat.

"There's a downward trend in trans and saturated fat intake levels, but it's clear that we still have room for improvement," said Honors, in a news release. 

Researchers discovered that people's average intake of omega-3 fatty acids that are good fats were also still relatively low among many individuals diets. Those who aim to increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids can look to certain types of fish for help. This can help dramatically improve heart health.