FOOD laden with saturated fat does not drive up levels of the "junk" nutrient in the blood, contrary to popular opinion, research suggests.

Higher consumption of carbohydrates, not saturated fat, was associated with changes linked to diabetes and heart disease, scientists found, turning on its head the widely held view of the harmful effects of eating too much saturated fat.

US lead scientist Professor Jeff Volek, from Ohio State University, said: "In studies, there is clearly no association between dietary saturated fat and heart disease."