Could Lard Be Healthy? Chinese Study Finds It May Reduce Body Fat

Everything you thought you knew about fat might be wrong. A new study from Chinese scientists challenges the long-held belief that animal fats are unhealthy, suggesting that consuming lard in moderation can surprisingly decrease fat accumulation and inflammation in the body.

Challenging Conventional Wisdom

In findings published this month in the peer-reviewed journal npj Science of Food, a team of scientists from Hunan Agricultural University, the University of South China, and the Changsha Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau reported their discovery. According to the team, a diet where fat provides 25 per cent of total energy from lard can offer metabolic benefits by regulating adipose tissue homeostasis. “These findings challenge the conventional view of animal fats,” the team wrote.

The 'Fat Paradox' in China

This research stems from a paradox facing health officials in China: obesity rates have increased even though national advice promotes vegetable oils over saturated animal fats. Chinese dietary guidelines recommend 25 to 30 grams of cooking oil per day and suggest limiting fatty meats.

The researchers also pointed to previous studies indicating that populations consuming pork and lard-based diets show a “significantly lower obesity and diabetes prevalence” than those on plant-based diets, further questioning the blanket condemnation of animal fats.