Is saturated fat in dairy foods bad for my heart?

Last updated 31/01/2025

Consumption of saturated fat from dairy foods such as cheese is not associated with the risk of heart disease.

Cheese was once thought to compromise cardiovascular health due to its relatively high salt and saturated fat content. This is why some health professionals recommend limiting dairy in the diet, particularly regular or higher-fat varieties.

There is now substantial scientific evidence to show, unlike saturated fat from other animal products, consumption of saturated fat from dairy foods such as cheese is not associated with the risk of heart disease.

This is because when nutrients such as saturated fat and sodium are eaten as part of a food, together with other essential nutrients and bioactive components, as in the case of dairy foods, they work together to affect health rather than how you would expect them to act as nutrients on their own.

Studies also show that people who regularly consume milk, yoghurt and cheese (including regular-fat varieties) are more likely to have a reduced risk of heart disease than those who don’t.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines suggest all types of milk, cheese and yoghurt are associated with health benefits including a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.