While the broad outlines of a healthy diet are clear, controversy has arisen surrounding certain foods and nutrients. This review updates contemporary nutrition controversies and the extent to which they may promote or protect against cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this review, beef tallow, ultra-processed foods, full fat dairy, seed oils, medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oils, seafood and alternative sweeteners are considered. Three groupings included 1) evidence of harm with a recommendation to limit or avoid, 2) lacking in evidence for harm or benefit and 3) evidence of benefit. The evidence of harm category included beef tallow, due to association with increased LDL-C, ultra-processed foods associated with worsened cardiometabolic health and artificial sweeteners owing to correlations with increased CVD. Within the category lacking in evidence were full fat dairy, MCT, monk fruit, and stevia. Finally, evidence of benefit included seed oils and seafood based on improved CVD outcomes.
JACC: Advances Editor-in-Chief
Candice K. Silversides, MD, FACC
JACC: Advances CME Editor
Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD
Author
Michael Miller, MD
Important Dates
Date of Release: March 25, 2026
Term of Approval/Date of CME/MOC Expiration: March 24, 2027