"The Surprising Effects of High-Fat Diets on Immunity, Gene Expression, and Microbiome Health"

A UC Riverside study published in Scientific Reports reveals that high-fat diets, particularly those including soybean oil, can alter gene expression related to obesity, colon cancer, immune function, and brain health, and may increase COVID-19 risk by upping ACE2 expression. Mice fed high-fat diets showed changes in gut microbiota and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. The research underscores the complex impact of dietary fats on health and the importance of considering long-term dietary habits, rather than short-term indulgences, in assessing risk factors for various diseases.