Eating Cheese does not affect “Bad cholesterol” levels

Nutritionists advise people with high cholesterol levels to eat less or no animal fat. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark have found that not all foods containing animal fat are bad. Also made from milk, cheese does not affect “bad cholesterol” levels in the body, while butter does. 

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Comparative diet

The researchers recruited about 50 volunteers to adjust their diets and record the resulting changes in cholesterol levels, among other things. 

The researchers randomly divided the volunteers into two groups. The first group ate cheese, and the second group ate butter, which accounted for 13 percent of the total calories, in addition to a calorie diet. Six weeks later, they ate normally for two weeks. The first group switched to butter, and the second group ate cheese, which still accounted for 13% of the total calories, for six weeks in a row. 

The results showed no increase in LDL and total cholesterol levels, commonly known as “bad cholesterol,” during cheese consumption, but a 7 percent increase in “bad cholesterol” levels during butter consumption, compared with those during normal diet. The results showed that there was no increase in LDL levels and total cholesterol levels during cheese consumption, but by 7% during butter consumption. In addition, HDL, commonly known as “good cholesterol,” is slightly lower during cheese consumption than during butter consumption. 


Cause analysis

In a report published in the American Journal of clinical nutrition), the latest issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Julie Yepstead and colleagues wrote: “Cheese has lower ‘bad cholesterol’ levels than butter; compared to a normal diet, cheese has a lower level of ‘bad cholesterol’ than butter,” she and colleagues wrote in the latest issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Cheese did not increase ‘bad cholesterol’ levels. “High levels of ‘bad cholesterol’ can lead to atherosclerosis, heart disease and stroke. 

Cheese may have a different effect on people than butter for a number of reasons, the researchers believe. However, they did not provide a conclusive explanation. 

One reason may be that cheese is rich in calcium. Previous studies have shown that calcium causes fat to pass through the digestive tract. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that volunteers excreted slightly more fat when eating cheese, though the numbers were not statistically significant. 

Another reason may be that cheese contains a lot of protein and needs to be fermented when processed, which makes cheese digestible differently from butter. 


Suggested appropriate amount

British Heart, a British charity, is promoting prevention of heart disease caused by high cholesterol levels. Linda Maine, a nutritionist at the institute, told the Daily Mail that the study at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark offered some interesting findings that needed further study. 

“it could be that other nutrients in cheese, such as milk protein peptides, calcium or other trace elements, have a positive effect on blood lipid levels,” Maine said. “the British Heart’s current advice for eating cheese is to ingest it in moderation. Eat small portions of flavored cheese and choose low-fat cheese instead of high-fat cheese. 

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