Some Dairy Products May Affect Heart Health More Than Others
U.S. dietary guidelines recommend daily consumption of low-fat or fat-free dairy products, but specific dairy products are not discussed. A study in the Sept. 22 issue of the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that various dairy products have different effects on the heart. The researchers analyzed the dietary habits of 1,929 individuals with stable angina over a 14-year period to determine the association between intake of total dairy and specific dairy products on risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. They found that higher intake of dairy products in general and milk in particular was associated with increased risk of stroke, all-cause death and cardiovascular death. Butter was associated with increased risk of heart attack and all-cause mortality. However, cheese was associated with decreased risk of heart attack and had no association with stroke or mortality rate.
