Including These In Your Diet Can Cut Your Chance Of Dying By 27 Percent

Not too long ago, we learned including more whole wheat food products in your daily diet can help cut your risk of disease and death by nearly 20 percent. Now yet another smart food choice can help you prevent an early death.

According to CNN, steering clear of "bad fats" and incorporating more "good fats" in your diet can help cut your chance of dying by as much as 27 percent. When it comes to "bad fats," we know those to be trans fats and saturated fats.

But what exactly is "good fat" and does it even exist?!

In a recent study regarding dietary fat, Dr. Frank B. Hu, who teaches nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, revealed,

This study is by far the most detailed and powerful examination of the relationship between different types of dietary fats and mortality. Our study demonstrates that not all fats are created equal, and eating healthy unsaturated fats at the expense of unhealthy saturated and trans fats is an important way to live a longer and healthier life.

In other words, not all fats are "bad fats." It's possible to reverse the effects of lethal trans and saturated fats by eating healthy, unsaturated fats. As a result, you'll ensure a longer lifespan and a healthier body overall.

From 1980 to 2012, Hu's study examined over 125,000 men and women over the course of 32 years. The study required researchers to touch base with each participant every 2 to 4 years and record the type of fats they consumed.

The major takeaway is that the types of fat in our diet are more important than the total amount of fat.

Participants in the study who steered clear of "bad fats" -- i.e. those found in muffins, crackers, doughnuts and cakes -- were examined to possess higher-quality diets and a healthier outcome as a result.

So, where does most of America stand?

Hu explained,

There have been some positive trends in the US diet over the past two decades. However, saturated fat is still over-consumed at the expenses of healthy fats. Thus, there is still a long way to go to improve the quality of fats and the overall diet quality in the US population.

Do your part by consuming more "good," monounsaturated fats found in foods like dark chocolate, fish, olives, peanuts and avocados... Did I say chocolate and avocados?! This whole "good fat" thing should be pretty easy!

Citations: Good fats can cut risk of death by 27%, study says (CNN)