Survey Reveals One in Five U.S. Adults Unaware Diet Affects Blood Cholesterol, Many Misinformed About Meat and Eggs
核心洞察
A new Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult (搜索) survey of 2,200 U.S. adults finds one in five unaware that diet directly affects blood cholesterol levels.
Among those aware, 52% learned from healthcare providers, while 36% and 34% cited friends/family and social media respectively as information sources.
Over one-third of respondents incorrectly believe chicken reduces cholesterol risk; 26% and 18% held the same misconception about lean red meat and eggs.
A new national survey conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in partnership with Morning Consult (搜索) has revealed significant gaps in public understanding of the relationship between diet and blood cholesterol, with one in five U.S. adults unaware that what they eat directly affects their cholesterol levels. The poll, which surveyed 2,200 U.S. adults on May 26-27, 2026, arrives on the heels of updated cholesterol management guidance recommending earlier screening and establishing target LDL cholesterol (搜索) goals based on individual risk factors.
Among those who reported awareness of the diet-cholesterol connection, healthcare providers were the most common source of information, cited by 52% of respondents. Friends or family were the source for 36%, while 34% reported obtaining this knowledge from social media.
Widespread Misconceptions About Common Foods
The survey uncovered notable misunderstandings about which foods influence cholesterol levels. While roughly half of respondents correctly identified that beans, whole grains, and soy products reduce cholesterol risk, a substantial portion held inaccurate beliefs about animal-based foods. Specifically, 36% of respondents said chicken decreases a person's risk of developing high cholesterol, 26% said the same about lean cuts of red meat, and 18% believed eggs also reduce risk.
"Americans consume over 100 pounds of chicken each year — more than double the amount eaten in 1980. Unfortunately, more than one in three people inaccurately believe that consuming chicken actually protects against elevated cholesterol," said Heather Shenkman, MD, an interventional and preventive cardiologist in Encino, California. "In reality, meat and dairy products, which also includes chicken, contribute to artery-clogging hyperlipidemia (搜索) — a symptomless public health crisis affecting one in four U.S. adults — which is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (搜索), heart attack, and stroke."
The Science: White Meat Raises Cholesterol as Much as Red Meat
Contrary to popular perception, chicken is not a heart-healthier alternative to red meat when it comes to cholesterol. A 2019 study that tested the effects of low-saturated-fat diets drawing protein from red meat (beef and pork), white meat (chicken and turkey), or nonmeat sources (legumes, nuts, grains, and soy products) found that both white and red meat raised LDL cholesterol (搜索) compared with plant-based proteins, and did so to approximately the same extent.
Regarding eggs, approximately 60% of their calories come from fat, much of which is saturated fat contributing to heart disease. Each egg contains about 200 milligrams of cholesterol — more than double the amount found in a Big Mac. An analysis published in JAMA demonstrated that each 300-milligram dose of dietary cholesterol was associated with a 17% increased risk for cardiovascular disease (搜索) and an 18% increased risk for mortality. When examining eggs specifically, each additional half egg per day was linked to a 6% and 8% increased risk, respectively.
Plant-Based Diets Show Promise and Public Willingness
"The good news," said Physicians Committee Registered Dietitian Anna Herby, "is that plant staples like beans, lentils, and soy milk can easily replace meat and dairy. They also taste delicious, and can cut grocery costs."
When asked whether they would be willing to try a plant-based diet if they had high cholesterol or wanted to reduce their risk, over half of survey respondents indicated they would. This openness aligns with a growing body of evidence supporting plant-based eating for cardiovascular health. A recent study involving 22 pairs of identical twins found that a plant-based diet improved heart health in as little as eight weeks, with the twins following a plant-based regimen experiencing lower LDL cholesterol (搜索) and greater weight loss compared to their omnivore counterparts.
The twin study adds to numerous published scientific studies demonstrating that a plant-based diet can help individuals maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure, improve heart health, and reduce diabetes risk. Replacing meat with plant-based alternatives may also confer additional cardiovascular benefits.