Key TakeawaysCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of women and accounts for 1 in every 5 deaths in the United States. However, most of the research on ways to reduce CVD risk has not been primarily focused on women.A new study shows that—contrary to what past research has suggested—eating a moderate amount of carbohydrates and consuming saturated fat does not increase CVD risk in middle-aged women.Until more research is done, people looking to reduce their heart disease risk should focus on including whole and enriched grains, as well as fruit, in their diets as well as avoiding refined sugars and ultra-processed carbohydrate sources.

Key Takeaways

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of women and accounts for 1 in every 5 deaths in the United States. However, most of the research on ways to reduce CVD risk has not been primarily focused on women.A new study shows that—contrary to what past research has suggested—eating a moderate amount of carbohydrates and consuming saturated fat does not increase CVD risk in middle-aged women.Until more research is done, people looking to reduce their heart disease risk should focus on including whole and enriched grains, as well as fruit, in their diets as well as avoiding refined sugars and ultra-processed carbohydrate sources.

According to a recent study, middle-aged women with higher carbohydrate intakes might be at a lower risk forcardiovascular disease. The findings challenge previous research that has placed carbs in a category of foods to be limited or even avoided to promote health.

CVD Risk In Women

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),cardiovascular diseaseis the number one cause of death globally and is responsible for approximately 32% of deaths worldwide.

WhileCVD can affect both men and women, Sarah Zaman, Associate Professor and academic interventional cardiologist at the University of Sydney as well as an author of the study, tells Verywell that “there is a vast amount of evidence recently to show that heart disease can have different risk factors in women versus men, and can manifest differently in women."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and is responsible for about 1 in every 5 female deaths.

However, Zaman also points out that “many of our historical diet studies did not look at the differences between the sexes, or they included a high proportion of male participants.”

Specifically, women with diabetes and women who smoke have a higher relative risk of CVD compared to men.

Women also can have health conditions that increase their risk of CVD—such asmenopause, gestational diabetes, andpolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—that their male counterparts would not have.

Many of our historical diet studies did not look at the differences between the sexes, or they included a high proportion of male participants.

The Study

To evaluate whether dietary choices affect CVD risk in middle-aged women, the participants were grouped according to their carbohydrate and saturated fat intake as a percentage of total energy intake.

The group that got 41.0% to 44.3% of their energy from carbohydrates was classified as consuming the most carbs. The group with the lowest intake got 37.1% or less of their energy from carbs.

After following the participants for 15 years, the researchers recorded a total of 1199 cases of CVD and 470 deaths. They looked at whether carb intake was linked to CVD and deaths.

The study’s findings showed that:

Saturated Fat and Heart DiseaseEven after the results were adjusted for other factors, saturated fat intake did not correlate with heart disease—even at high intakes.Zaman says that the finding “goes against a lot of historical data showing a detriment to saturated fat intake” and that it’s “consistent with large trials in women, such as theWomen’s Health Initiative, showing a lack of benefit to a low-fat diet.”

Saturated Fat and Heart Disease

Even after the results were adjusted for other factors, saturated fat intake did not correlate with heart disease—even at high intakes.Zaman says that the finding “goes against a lot of historical data showing a detriment to saturated fat intake" and that it’s “consistent with large trials in women, such as theWomen’s Health Initiative, showing a lack of benefit to a low-fat diet.”

Even after the results were adjusted for other factors, saturated fat intake did not correlate with heart disease—even at high intakes.

Zaman says that the finding “goes against a lot of historical data showing a detriment to saturated fat intake" and that it’s “consistent with large trials in women, such as theWomen’s Health Initiative, showing a lack of benefit to a low-fat diet.”

Experts: Women Need to Make Heart Health a Priority

Limitations

One important note about the study is that the type of carbohydrate was not categorized, which means that ultra-refined carb sources were classified the same way as more nutrient-dense carbohydrate sources, like whole grains and fruit.

“Whilst many people may associate carbs with bread, in fact, a lot of our carbohydrates come from fruit and vegetables," says Zaman. “Hence, it is likely that their protective aspect was related to intake of this type of carbohydrate rather than highly processed carbohydrates.”

Zaman believes that “whole and real foods” play a more protective role in a woman’s health than ultra-processed choices. The researchers plan to evaluate how the type of carbohydrate affects heart health in women in future research.

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Reducing CVD Risk

Since the new study suggests that a moderate carbohydrate intake has the greatest protective effect against cardiovascular disease, following a very low carbohydrate diet (for example, the ketogenic or “keto” diet) might not be the best choice for middle-aged women who are trying to reduce their risk.

There are also other factors to consider when choosing carb sources. For example, a diet that’s high inadded sugarsmay also contribute to an increased risk of heart disease. Most people will benefit from limiting their intake of carbs that contain a lot of added sugars (like baked goods, packaged snacks, and sweetened cereal and beverages).

Other ways that people can reduce their heart disease risk include:

What This Means For YouIf you’re a middle-aged woman, getting 41.0% to 44.3% of your energy from carbohydrate sources in your diet might help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. To see the most health benefits, focus on getting carbs from whole-grain sources and fruit rather than from ultra-processed, sugary foods and beverages.

What This Means For You

If you’re a middle-aged woman, getting 41.0% to 44.3% of your energy from carbohydrate sources in your diet might help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. To see the most health benefits, focus on getting carbs from whole-grain sources and fruit rather than from ultra-processed, sugary foods and beverages.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Cardiovascular Disease.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Women and Heart Disease.Zaman S, Chow C, Lam CSP, Saw J, Nicholls SJ, Figtree GA.Heart disease in women: where are we now and what is the future?Heart, Lung and Circulation. 2021;30(1):1-2. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2020.11.001. Published January, 2021.Rippe JM, Angelopoulos TJ.Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding.Nutrients. 2016 Nov 4;8(11):697. doi:10.3390/nu8110697Anagnostis P, Paschou SA, Katsiki N, et al.Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk: Where are we Now?.Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2019;17(6):564-572. doi:10.2174/1570161116666180709095348

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Cardiovascular Disease.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Women and Heart Disease.Zaman S, Chow C, Lam CSP, Saw J, Nicholls SJ, Figtree GA.Heart disease in women: where are we now and what is the future?Heart, Lung and Circulation. 2021;30(1):1-2. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2020.11.001. Published January, 2021.Rippe JM, Angelopoulos TJ.Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding.Nutrients. 2016 Nov 4;8(11):697. doi:10.3390/nu8110697Anagnostis P, Paschou SA, Katsiki N, et al.Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk: Where are we Now?.Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2019;17(6):564-572. doi:10.2174/1570161116666180709095348

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

World Health Organization.Cardiovascular Disease.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Women and Heart Disease.Zaman S, Chow C, Lam CSP, Saw J, Nicholls SJ, Figtree GA.Heart disease in women: where are we now and what is the future?Heart, Lung and Circulation. 2021;30(1):1-2. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2020.11.001. Published January, 2021.Rippe JM, Angelopoulos TJ.Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding.Nutrients. 2016 Nov 4;8(11):697. doi:10.3390/nu8110697Anagnostis P, Paschou SA, Katsiki N, et al.Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk: Where are we Now?.Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2019;17(6):564-572. doi:10.2174/1570161116666180709095348

World Health Organization.Cardiovascular Disease.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Women and Heart Disease.

Zaman S, Chow C, Lam CSP, Saw J, Nicholls SJ, Figtree GA.Heart disease in women: where are we now and what is the future?Heart, Lung and Circulation. 2021;30(1):1-2. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2020.11.001. Published January, 2021.

Rippe JM, Angelopoulos TJ.Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding.Nutrients. 2016 Nov 4;8(11):697. doi:10.3390/nu8110697

Anagnostis P, Paschou SA, Katsiki N, et al.Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk: Where are we Now?.Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2019;17(6):564-572. doi:10.2174/1570161116666180709095348

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