Brace yourselves – a new study from Oxford University suggests that indulging in daily croissants or other buttery treats can silently increase the risk of serious heart problems, even without apparent weight gain. The research, presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference in London, found that consuming foods high in saturated fat for just three weeks can have significant impacts on cardiovascular health.

The trial involved 24 participants divided into two groups. One group followed a diet high in saturated fat for 24 days, including foods such as butter, croissants, sausages, cakes, and chocolate. The other group consumed a diet rich in polyunsaturated fats, featuring oily fish, sunflower oil, walnuts, and sesame seeds.

Researchers conducted blood tests and MRI scans at the beginning and end of the study period. Despite maintaining stable body weights, the saturated fat group showed concerning changes in several health markers. On average, their cholesterol levels rose by 10%, and liver fat increased by 20%, elevating the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Nikola Srnic, the lead researcher and PhD student at Oxford, explained, "Even when you are not gaining weight, different fats can have drastically different effects on our health in a short timeframe. The results suggest that a diet high in saturated fat may negatively change cardiovascular disease risk factors even when a person does not gain weight."

In contrast, the group consuming polyunsaturated fats experienced protective effects. Their total "bad" cholesterol levels dropped by approximately 10%, and they showed increased energy reserves in their heart muscle.

Srnic encouraged people to make simple dietary substitutions, replacing saturated fats with healthier polyunsaturated options. He added, "If you're not losing weight, you shouldn't lose hope," emphasizing that positive health effects can occur even without changes on the scale.

The study also examined heart muscle cells in laboratory conditions. Researchers found that these cells more easily broke down polyunsaturated fats for energy, potentially explaining how such fats could help lower blood lipid levels.

Professor James Leiper, associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation, commented on the findings: "This study gives us evidence that saturated fat may silently start to pose a risk to heart health very quickly, without causing any changes to a person's weight." He added that while the results are promising, "Longer studies with more participants are needed to confirm these findings and show whether these short-term changes increase people's risk of serious heart problems in the long term."

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A 32-year-old Jewish woman in the Paris suburb of Gennevilliers was allegedly the victim of a horrific antisemitic crime this week. According to French media reports, the woman claims she was raped, kidnapped, and threatened with murder by a man seeking revenge against her for Palestinians.

The suspect, who has not been publicly named, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with religiously-motivated death threats and drug offenses. Prosecutors believe the kidnapping charge is warranted, though the rape allegation is still under investigation.

The victim told police she met the perpetrator on a dating app in 2023. She says he held her against her will in his apartment, where he assaulted and threatened her. The suspect allegedly sent disturbing texts to the woman's mother saying he would "prostitute" her daughter to "avenge Palestine."

The shocking case has drawn outrage across the political spectrum in France. Politicians from both the Left and Right condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community.

Marine Le Pen of the National Rally party blamed "far-left" inaction for allowing an environment of antisemitism to fester. The government's anti-racism delegation called the importation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to France unacceptable.

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Speaking at a dinner attended by Jewish leaders on Wednesday, Macron said a surge in anti-Semitic attacks in France was unprecedented since World War II and promised a crackdown including a new law to tackle hate speech on the internet.

France will adopt the definition of anti-Semitism set by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, he said, adding: "Anti-Zionism is one of the modern forms of anti-Semitism."

The IHRA definition does not use the phrase "anti-Zionism" but does say denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, "e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor," is anti-Semitic.

Some critics of Israel say they risk being unfairly branded anti-Semitic, although the IHRA definition says: "Criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country" is not.

Welcoming Macron's actions, the World Jewish Congress said: "This is just the beginning of a long road ahead. Adopting this definition of anti-Semitism must be followed by concrete steps to encode into law and ensure that this is enforced."

The IHRA definition is not legally binding but does serve as an international guideline.

Germany and Britain adopted the definition in texts in 2016, though the European Union in 2018 adopted a softer tone, calling the IHRA definition a "guidance tool" amid concern from some member states that it could make criticism of Israeli policy, particularly with regards to Palestinians, difficult.

Macron said France would not change its laws relating to anti-Semitism and that recognizing the IHRA's definition must not be seen as a means of preventing people from criticizing the Israeli government.

Jewish leaders in France have expressed growing alarm over anti-Semitism driven by fringe Islamist preachers, alongside that more commonly associated with Nazi ideology and the far right and a rise in anti-Zionism on the hard-left.

On Tuesday Macron visited a Jewish cemetery where dozens of headstones were desecrated with swastikas.

Macron said he had ordered the Interior Ministry to dismantle three neo-Nazi groups – Bastion Social, Blood and Honour Hexagone and Combat 18 – which, he said, fuelled hate and promoted violence.

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