Sugar Consumption Vs. PUFA Consumption Between 1909 And 1999

[stargazer1111]

I have long suspected that it was the increase in PUFA consumption in the 20th century and not an increase in sugar consumption that led to the rise in heart disease incidence over that period. This study seems to support that hypothesis.

Changes in consumption of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the United States during the 20th century

Take a look at table 2. There was a decrease in dairy fat consumption. There was a modest increase in beef fat consumption. However, there was a much greater increase in vegetable oil consumption (particularly from soy and canola) indicating that the proportion of PUFA in the diet would have increased dramatically over those 90 years.

Also, take a look at figure 2. Sugar consumption increased slightly, but not nearly as much as the increase in PUFA consumption.

 

[stargazer1111]

Just a few calculations from the study:

Soybean oil went from .01 kg (10 grams) per capita per year in 1909 to 11.6 kg (11,600 grams )per capita per year in 1999.
Canola oil went from .01 kg (10 grams) per capita per year in 1909 to 0.8 kg (800 grams) per capita per year in 1999.

This means that the average person in the U.S. would have added roughly 19 grams of PUFA per day to their diet over the course of those 90 years. This would drastically increase the amount of lipid peroxidation which is directly involved in atherogenesis.

It also looks like PUFA consumption was about 3.29% of calories in 1909 while in 1999 it was 7.69%. That is more than twice the PUFA consumption in 1999 than in 1909. For a 2500 calorie diet, this means going from about 9 grams of PUFA per day in 1909 to about 21. Major increase.

 

[stargazer1111]

Edited original post, so irrelevant.

 

[milkboi]

Interesting

 

[Mauritio]

Good one !

 

[Jonnie]

Good stuff.
I remember seeing a graph on correlation between sugar intake and obesity but then when you overlay PUFA intake it matches obesity increasement to the tee.