The US federal Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) has changed its advice concerning dietary cholesterol in its 2015 review of nutrition and health science. The scientific report, written by experts in the fields of nutrition, food science, public health, medicine and agriculture, states that: “Cholesterol is not a nutrient of concern for overconsumption.”

The report goes on to explain the evidence behind the change: “Previously, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended that cholesterol intake be limited to no more than 300 mg/day. The 2015 DGAC will not bring forward this recommendation because available evidence shows no appreciable relationship between consumption of dietary cholesterol and serum cholesterol”. The greater danger, it is suggested, lies not in consuming products that are high in cholesterol, but that contain high levels of saturated fats.

The recommendations also address the sustainability effects of diet for the first time and recommend reducing red and processed meat consumption for health, stating that “a diet higher in plant-based foods … and lower in calories and animal-based foods is more health promoting and is associated with less environmental impact than is the current US diet.”

Image: Yes to eggs but hold the bacon?

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