Cheese lovers, rejoice! A recent study from Ireland showed that eating cheese, even generous amounts of it, can be beneficial for your health and even help you lose weight. The study determined that cheese and other dairy products aren’t the artery-clogging, unhealthy foods you’ve been led to believe. In fact, they have the exact opposite effect.
Dairy does a body good… really
The study’s 1,500 participants kept food diaries for four days, after which researchers drew blood samples, weighed participants, and took other health measurements. The results were eye-opening. People who ate the most dairy during those four days did not have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, as commonly believed. In fact, they had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than people who ate less dairy.
Moreover, those who ate more cheese compared to other dairy products (like yogurt or milk) had the best blood pressure levels of all. People who ate more dairy also had a lower body mass index, body fat percentage, waist size, and waist-to-hip ratio, meaning they were in better shape than people who avoided dairy.
Another review involving 29 studies on the health effects of dairy consumption found that dairy products do not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease or premature death. In fact, people who ate fermented dairy products (like cheese) were at a 2% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death than those who steered clear of dairy products like cheese.
Eating cheese for health
Now that we know cheese and other dairy products aren’t the dangerous junk foods they’ve been touted to be, there are still some precautions to take while enjoying them.
First, avoid processed and conventional dairy products filled with antibiotics and hormones. Stick to organic and grass-fed dairy products whenever possible. These contain conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid that fights inflammation.
And when it comes to eating cheese, you’ll likely want to limit your intake of processed cheesy stuff like pizza to every once in a while. Instead, stick to the whole, raw version to get your dairy fix. It’s still delicious and pairs well with veggies, fruits, and other whole foods.
One reason cheese makes such a great snack for weight loss is that it’s high in protein and fat, both of which keep you feeling full longer than carbs. Plus, the fat in cheese can help your body burn more calories since it takes more energy to digest fat than carbohydrates. So, go ahead and indulge in a piece or two of your favorite cheese, guilt-free. Your waistline and health will thank you.
