A high-fat diet not just affects your genes or linked to obesity, colon cancer or irritable bowels, it can affect your immune system, the brain and even increase the risk of Covid-19, according to a latest study.
Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, conducted a 24-week experiment, feeding mice diets where over 40% of calories came from fat.
The diets included saturated fat from coconut oil, monounsaturated modified soybean oil, and unmodified soybean oil high in polyunsaturated fat. All three diets led to concerning changes in gene expression, affecting processes crucial for the body’s functionality.
The study, published in Scientific Reports paper, revealed significant impacts on the intestines, including changes in genes related to fat metabolism, gut bacteria composition, and susceptibility to infectious diseases.
For example, they observed an increase in pathogenic E. coli and a suppression of Bacteroides, which helps protect the body against pathogens.
Surprisingly, high-fat diets increased the expression of ACE2 and host proteins used by Covid spike proteins to enter the body.
The research team, known for linking soybean oil to obesity and diabetes, found that all three high-fat diets influenced the expression of ACE2 and other host proteins crucial for Covid spike protein entry.
Moreover, high-fat diets increased signs of stem cells in the colon, potentially linked to cancer.
Coconut oil showed the most gene expression changes, followed by unmodified soybean oil, hinting at the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid.
Negative microbiome changes were more pronounced in mice fed the soybean oil diet, aligning with previous findings on the adverse effects of high soybean oil consumption.
The study, conducted on mice, emphasised that these findings apply specifically to soybean oil and not other soy products.
“Word on the street is that plant-based diets are better for you, and in many cases that’s true. However, a diet high in fat, even from a plant, is one case where it’s just not true,” said Frances Sladek, a UCR cell biology professor and senior author of the new study.
While mouse studies may not perfectly translate to humans, the shared DNA similarity raises concerns, especially as soybean oil is the most consumed oil in many parts of the world.
The researchers, however, have advised that one shouldn’t panic about having a high-fat single meal since it only highlights the long-term effects of it.
Rohit Malhotra is a medical expert and health journalist who offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. His articles aim to help readers lead healthier lives.
