A heart made of dairy products surrounded by data.

Dairy Dilemma: Are Milk and Cheese Good for Your Heart?

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unpacking the controversy around dairy consumption and cardiovascular health, from the latest research to practical dietary advice."

Dairy products have long been a staple in many diets, touted for their calcium and protein content. Yet, in an era of ever-shifting nutritional advice, the role of dairy in cardiovascular health remains a hot topic of debate. Are dairy products beneficial, harmful, or neutral when it comes to our hearts?

For years, low-fat dairy options were considered the gold standard for heart health, driven by the assumption that reducing saturated fat intake would automatically lead to better cardiovascular outcomes. However, recent research is challenging this long-held belief, painting a more complex picture of the relationship between dairy fat and overall well-being.

This article dives into the heart of the dairy debate, exploring the latest findings from epidemiological studies and delving into the emerging science that seeks to explain how different components of dairy might impact our cardiovascular system. We'll translate complex research into practical, easy-to-understand advice, empowering you to make informed choices about incorporating dairy into a balanced, heart-healthy diet.

The PURE Study: A Game Changer?

A heart made of dairy products surrounded by data.

The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, a large-scale multinational cohort study, has recently provided some intriguing insights into the dairy debate. Involving over 136,000 participants from 21 countries, the PURE study examined the association between dairy consumption and the incidence of major cardiovascular events and mortality.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the PURE study found that higher dairy consumption (more than two servings per day) was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. This inverse association held true for both milk and yogurt, while cheese consumption did not show any significant relationship. Furthermore, the study found no additional health benefits associated with low-fat dairy products compared to their whole-fat counterparts.

Lower CVD Risk: Consuming more than two servings of dairy per day was linked to a 14-34% lower risk of cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality.
Milk and Yogurt: These dairy types showed a protective trend.
No Added Benefit from Low-Fat: Low-fat dairy didn't appear to offer extra advantages over whole-fat options.

These findings, while significant, align with recent meta-analyses that also question the long-held belief that dairy fat is detrimental to heart health. However, it's crucial to remember that the PURE study, like other epidemiological research, can only demonstrate associations, not causation.

From Observation to Mechanism: The Next Frontier

While the PURE study and other epidemiological research offer valuable insights into the association between dairy consumption and cardiovascular health, they don't explain why these associations exist. This is where basic science research comes in, seeking to uncover the underlying mechanisms that could explain the potential cardioprotective effects of dairy.

Emerging research suggests that various components of dairy, such as medium-chain fatty acids, probiotics, whey protein, and certain vitamins (like K2), may play a role in promoting cardiovascular health. For example, some studies suggest that medium-chain fatty acids can improve mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity, while probiotics may positively influence gut health and reduce inflammation.

Ultimately, the dairy-heart health story is far from settled. While recent evidence challenges the long-held dogma that all dairy fat is bad, more research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between different dairy components and our cardiovascular system. The insights derived from the PURE study offer additional incentives and opportunities for basic science researchers to elucidate the diversity of ingredients and mechanisms through which dairy products exert their effect on cardiac health.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/cvr/cvy259, Alternate LINK

Title: The Controversial Role Of Dairy Products In Cardiovascular Health: Time To Pass From Epidemiology To Basic Research

Subject: Physiology (medical)

Journal: Cardiovascular Research

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: Demosthenes B Panagiotakos

Published: 2018-11-24

Everything You Need To Know

What did the PURE study discover about dairy consumption and heart health?

The findings from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study revealed that increased consumption of dairy, specifically more than two servings per day, correlated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. This is significant because it challenges the prior assumption that dairy fat is detrimental to heart health. The implications suggest that incorporating milk and yogurt in moderation might be beneficial for heart health, although the study doesn't establish causation, it provides an important association that contrasts with previous dietary guidelines that promoted low-fat dairy options.

What is the significance of low-fat dairy in the context of heart health, according to recent research?

The relationship between low-fat dairy and heart health has been a long-standing belief in dietary recommendations. Traditionally, low-fat dairy was considered the gold standard for heart health, driven by the idea that lowering saturated fat intake would improve cardiovascular outcomes. However, the PURE study and recent meta-analyses found no additional health benefits from low-fat dairy. This shift implies that the focus might need to move away from simply reducing fat content and consider the broader nutritional profiles of dairy products. The implication is that the type of dairy and the context of the overall diet matter more than solely the fat content.

What was the main goal of the PURE study, and why is it important?

The PURE study investigated how dairy consumption correlated with cardiovascular events and mortality across a diverse population. The study observed over 136,000 participants from 21 countries and analyzed their dairy intake to see if there was a relationship to cardiovascular outcomes. The significance of the PURE study lies in its large scale and diverse population. The results provided an inverse association between higher dairy intake, particularly milk and yogurt, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality. The implications of this study support a more nuanced understanding of dairy's role in heart health, moving away from the blanket recommendation to avoid dairy products.

Which specific dairy products were found to be beneficial for heart health in the PURE study?

The types of dairy products examined by the PURE study that showed a protective effect were milk and yogurt. These dairy forms were associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality when consumed in quantities greater than two servings daily. Cheese consumption did not show any significant relationship within the study. This distinction is essential because it shows that the effects of dairy on heart health might vary depending on the specific dairy product consumed. The implication is that not all dairy products have the same effects, and dietary recommendations should consider the specific type of dairy, not just the overall dairy consumption.

What are the limitations of the PURE study and the next steps in understanding the relationship between dairy and heart health?

While the PURE study provides significant insight into the relationship between dairy consumption and cardiovascular health, it is essential to note that it demonstrates associations rather than causation. Basic science research seeks to uncover the mechanisms that explain these associations. This is the next step to understand why higher dairy consumption may be associated with lower risk. The implication is that further research is needed to identify which components of milk and yogurt, or the way these interact in the body, might contribute to these cardioprotective effects, which will help refine future dietary advice.