What’s the Truth about Cheese?

cheeseIt has been said that cheese is equally as addictive as certain drugs, and cheese lovers would agree! However, due to its saturated fat content, cheese has long been as a risk to heart health. Researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and Copenhagen University in Denmark recently sought to determine the true impact of cheese on cardiovascular wellness by launching the largest-scale study of its kind to date. According to the study’s results, cheese lovers now have a reason to rejoice, because diets high in cheese and other dairy produces most likely do not lead to increased occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.

A Meta-Analysis of 29 Prior Studies

The research team gathered 29 prior studies that included a total of 900,000 participants from many countries around the globe. All studies had been performed within the last 35 years and focused on whether dairy consumption boosted the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, serious heart issues, or other causes. Overall, researchers found that the consumption of dairy foods had a neutral impact on health.

Don’t Avoid Dairy

This important study’s findings directly contradict the warnings from experts who assert that dairy products containing saturated fat will harm the heart. Since dairy products like cheese contain high levels of calcium, they are vital to the development of strong bones and prevention of osteoarthritis later in life. Pregnant women, in particular, need extra calcium to support fetal growth and prevent neuro-developmental issues.

All of this means that cheese, yogurt, and milk, even in their full-fat versions, do not appear to be harmful to the heart, and can instead provide the body with many important benefits. If you want to confirm that adding a moderate amount of dairy into your diet is a wise choice, reach out to a specialist at Cardiovascular Solutions Institute in Bradenton, Florida. Cardiovascular Solutions offers high quality, state-of-the-art, comprehensive cardiovascular care to patients will all types of cardiovascular needs. Simply call (941) 747-8789 to schedule your appointment today.