A survey of 2,200 US adults conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and Morning Consult has found significant gaps in public understanding of how diet affects blood cholesterol, with large numbers incorrectly identifying animal-based foods as protective against hyperlipidemia.
The poll, conducted May 26-27, 2026, was released following recently updated cholesterol management guidance from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommending earlier screening and LDL target goals based on individual risk.
Widespread misunderstanding of animal foods
When respondents were asked what effect specific foods have on blood cholesterol levels, roughly half correctly identified beans, whole grains, and soy products as cholesterol-reducing. However, 36% said chicken lowers cholesterol risk, 26% said the same of lean cuts of red meat, and 18% attributed the same benefit to eggs.
One in five respondents was unaware of any link between diet and blood cholesterol at all. Among those who did know, 52% said they learned it from a healthcare provider, 36% from friends or family, and 34% from social media.
Heather Shenkman, MD, an interventional and preventive cardiologist in Encino, California, stated, “Americans consume over 100 pounds of chicken each year, more than double the amount eaten in 1980. In reality, meat and dairy products, which also includes chicken, contribute to artery-clogging hyperlipidemia — a symptomless public health crisis affecting one in four U.S. adults — which is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke.”
Openness to plant-based alternatives
Over half of respondents said they would be willing to try a plant-based diet if they had high cholesterol or wanted to reduce their risk.
PCRM, which has 17,000 physician members and is based in Washington, D.C., has previously challenged the 2025-2030 US Dietary Guidelines over alleged conflicts of interest among the guidelines’ authors and their ties to meat and dairy industry groups.
“The good news,” said PCRM Nutrition Education Specialist 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.”
