Eat Less Blubber, Get More Heart Disease

I can taste the whale blubber now

Eskimo populations filling up on fatty fish and whale blubber have historically been know for low rates of heart disease. It caused confusion for proponents of a low fat diet, but recent research has further confirmed the health benefits of fat consumption over carbs.

Why did Eskimo heart disease rates skyrocket?

While historic data documented low heart disease in Eskimos, later 1970s research on Eskimos actually found higher rates of heart disease, comparable to modern populations. What happened? Carbs.

A recent review of Eskimo diet and health trends found a clear link between increased sugar and carbohydrate consumption during the 1900s and increased heart disease in Eskimos. Between 1855 and 1970, Greenland Eskimos increased their carb consumption from 2-8% of their diet to 40% of their diet and heart disease rates rose. The Eskimos ate less of their traditional whale blubber and more bread, biscuits, potatoes, rice, flour, beer, and sugar cubes.

Don't pass the potatoes. Pass the whale blubber.

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