Exploring the health effects of cheese

Cheese, a widely consumed fermented dairy product, has been both praised for its nutrient density and criticized for its high saturated fat and sodium content. This comprehensive umbrella review and meta-analysis provide an updated examination of cheese consumption's impact on a wide range of health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and metabolic conditions. By reviewing 47 unique health outcomes across multiple studies, the review seeks to clarify the complex relationship between cheese consumption and health.

The findings indicate that cheese consumption is associated with a reduced risk of several health conditions. Specifically, moderate cheese intake was linked to a lower risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The optimal daily intake of cheese for these protective effects was around 40 grams per day. Despite concerns about its potential role in raising blood pressure, cheese did not show an increased risk of hypertension in this analysis.

Interestingly, while cheese intake was not associated with an increased risk of cancer overall, it was linked to a reduced risk of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. Moreover, the review highlighted potential benefits of cheese consumption for bone health, with evidence suggesting a decreased risk of total and hip fractures. However, some evidence pointed to a marginal increase in the risk of Parkinson’s disease with higher cheese consumption.