Over the years the composition of ‘heart health’ spreads has been constantly modified to implement new scientific findings and developments. Advances in modern fat technology have made many of these changes possible. Modifying a food product in line with current nutritional recommendations for preventing CHD provides consumers with an easy option for reducing their risk of CHD.
Spreads provide a convenient vehicle for regular intake of selected dietary compounds because they are typically consumed daily. ‘Heart health’ spreads help individuals to improve their blood lipid profiles, limit intakes of SFA and TFA and meet recommended intakes of the various PUFA. Spreads make an important contribution to dietary vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E. The benefit for blood lipids is greatest when the spreads replace SFA-rich products such as butter.
The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of metabolic abnormalities (dyslipidaemia, hypertension, visceral obesity and increased insulin resistance) that can lead to an increased risk of CVD and type 2 diabetes. The risk of CVD is 2–4-fold higher in individuals with the metabolic syndrome, which makes strategies to reduce CVD risk a main focus in the treatment of these individuals. For individuals with the metabolic syndrome the spreads could be further modified to address their unique dyslipidaemia. Research conducted in the LIPGENE study and other dietary intervention studies will deliver the scientific evidence to justify further modifications in the composition of ‘heart health’ spreads.
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