# A Clinician’s Guide for Trending Cardiovascular Nutritional Controversies in 2026

## TL;DR

This paper reviews controversial foods and nutrients in 2026 and their impact on cardiovascular health, offering evidence-based guidance for clinicians.

## Contribution

The paper provides updated, evidence-based recommendations on trending cardiovascular nutritional controversies.

## Key findings

- Beef tallow, ultraprocessed foods, and artificial sweeteners are linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
- Seed oils and seafood are associated with improved cardiovascular disease outcomes.
- Full-fat dairy and alternative sweeteners like monk fruit and stevia lack sufficient evidence for harm or benefit.

## Abstract

Although 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, ultraprocessed foods, full-fat dairy, seed oils, medium chain triglyceride 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 low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ultraprocessed 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, medium chain triglyceride, monk fruit, and stevia. Finally, evidence of benefit included seed oils and seafood based on improved CVD outcomes.

•Heart-healthy diets remain a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention.•Some dietary components remain controversial for cardiovascular health and outcomes.•Evidence-based recommendations are provided for controversial foods and non-nutrient sources.

Heart-healthy diets remain a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention.

Some dietary components remain controversial for cardiovascular health and outcomes.

Evidence-based recommendations are provided for controversial foods and non-nutrient sources.