New research could impact future health guidelines

We’ve been skimming our milk and choosing low-fat cheese for decades, believing it was the heart-healthy choice. But new research is challenging that long-standing guidance – and possibly putting full-fat dairy back on the menu.

A major new international research perspective paper [The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition], which includes contributions from Dr Emma Feeney of University College Dublin, has concluded that “overall, consumption of milk, yogurt and cheese, irrespective of fat content, is neutrally associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk”.

In other words, don’t fear the fat! Full-fat dairy is no worse for your heart than the low-fat versions we’ve long been encouraged to choose – and may even offer greater nutritional benefits.

The study goes on to state there is not enough evidence to suggest there are differences in cardiometabolic risk factors between consumption of full-fat and low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese products, from randomised controlled trials.

The findings add to a growing body of evidence that questions the need to promote low-fat dairy as the default healthy option – and the authors suggest that these recommendations are not based on currently available evidence in adults.

Dr Feeney said:

“When we look at all the evidence, there’s a lack of research to support the existing guidelines promoting low-fat dairy over regular fat dairy and cardiovascular risk. The evidence we do have either shows neutral or even positive associations between full-fat dairy and health outcomes.”

The research also highlights the important role of overall dietary patterns for heart health, rather than just thinking about saturated fat alone.

Dr Mary Harrington, Senior Nutritionist with the National Dairy Council, said:

“Viewing dairy fats as either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ does not take into consideration that we consume whole foods rather than single nutrients. Dairy fats are usually consumed with the combination of other nutrients found in milk, yogurt and cheese”.

She added

“We often think of full-fat milk as being full of fat, but it contains only 3.5% fat. Of course, lower fat versions are also lower in energy or calories, so they are helpful for trying to manage weight. But dairy is about more than just it’s fat content”.

-ENDS-

Media contacts:

Jeremy Probert | jeremy@4TC.ie | +353 (0) 89 700 0792

Craig McKechnie | craig@4TC.ie | +353 (0) 87 621 8839

About The National Dairy Council

The National Dairy Council is a farmer-funded representative body that works to promote and protect Ireland’s internationally-renowned dairy reputation for excellent products, produced in an increasingly sustainable way.