Researchers have challenged the long-held belief that cheese and other dairy products are harmful to heart health. A comprehensive review of 29 studies involving nearly a million participants found no association between dairy consumption and increased risk of heart attacks or strokes.
Professor Ian Givens of Reading University, a co-author of the study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, stated: “There’s quite a widespread but mistaken belief among the public that dairy products in general can be bad for you, but that’s a misconception.” The research analysed data from the past 35 years, covering 938,465 participants.
Even full-fat dairy, often avoided due to its saturated fat content, did not appear to raise the risk of death or conditions such as coronary heart disease. NHS guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat intake to 30g for men and 20g for women per day, but the study suggests overall dairy consumption is not linked to circulatory problems.
However, opinions among scientists remain divided. A study earlier this year in the BMJ indicated that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated ones could improve heart health. Conversely, research from the University of Bergen found that fatty foods like cheese may be protective when part of a calorie-restricted diet.
The British Heart Foundation advises eating cheese “sensibly” as excessive consumption could lead to high cholesterol and blood pressure. The new study was partly funded by pro-dairy groups, but the authors assert they had no influence over the findings.
