Dairy Council of California is proud to share a recent contribution to the California Academy of Physician Associates magazine, where our team highlights emerging research on the role of saturated fat in dairy foods and cardiovascular health. The article offers health professionals clear, evidence-based insights to help address common misconceptions and support informed, science-aligned nutrition guidance.
Read the full article below.
Dairy foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese provide high-quality protein and essential nutrients in a unique nutrient package that supports healthy eating patterns.
Did You Know?
Whole-fat dairy foods, such as whole milk, yogurt and cheese have been shown to have protective or neutral effects on cardiometabolic health.
Current dietary guidelines recommend three servings of low-fat dairy a day to meet nutrient needs and limit saturated fat intake. However, emerging research shows that, whether whole-fat or low fat, dairy foods have a neutral or beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease and related cardiometabolic risk factors such as hypertension and obesity, depending on the dairy source.1,2 When included in nutrient-rich dietary patterns alongside fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains, dairy helps support nutritional adequacy across the life span, from early childhood to older adulthood, while also reducing health disparities.
Spotlight on Health Equity
Dairy foods, including lactose-free, fermented and varied fat-level products are a nutritious and affordable part of local food cultures, supporting nutrition security and health equity.
Research on dairy and cardiovascular health has largely focused on populations in Europe and North America, which have moderate to high dairy intake. However, the PURE study showed cardiovascular benefits of higher dairy consumption across both high- and low-intake regions, with particularly strong associations between milk and reduced stroke risk in lower-intake areas such as East Asia.3 Similarly, the National Medical Association emphasizes dairy consumption to reduce health disparities among Black Americans, noting that adequate dairy intake supports nutrient sufficiency and lowers the risk of chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease.4Together, these findings highlight the importance of culturally relevant dietary guidance that incorporates flexible dairy options like lactose-free, fermented and varied fat-level products to support diverse dietary patterns, help populations meet nutrient needs and contribute to reducing health disparities. Educating on dairy’s role within balanced dietary patterns is a strategy to support community health. Both whole-fat and low-fat dairy can be included in healthy dietary patterns, shifting the focus from fat content alone to the broader context of nutritious eating patterns. Promoting flexible, culturally relevant dairy options can help diverse populations achieve nutrient adequacy, support healthy weight management and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Practical Application
To support clinical counseling, a bilingual (English and Spanish) patient handout, available to download or order at no charge, offers simple ways to incorporate dairy into culturally relevant eating patterns that account for personal preferences while furthering nutrition security and health equity.
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