ABSTRACT
Because regular-fat dairy products contribute significantly to dietary intake of saturated fatty acid (SFA), and because of the well-known cholesterol-raising effects of SFA, most dietary guidelines advocate consumption of low-fat dairy products as opposed to regular/high-fat dairy foods. Yet, results from numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported inconsistent effects of dairy consumption, including regular/whole-fat dairy, on blood lipid levels and on many other cardiometabolic risk factors, such as blood pressure and inflammatory biomarkers. Thus, the recommendation to have low-fat dairy integrated as part of healthy eating guidelines in 2015 needs to be revisited. This review suggests that consumption of dairy foods and dairy fat appears to have a null effect on a large spectrum of cardiometabolic risk factors. Data also suggest that the purported detrimental effects of SFA on cardiometabolic health may be attenuated when provided in complex food matrices such as cheese. Despite the fact that there are still numerous research gaps to be addressed, available data suggest no potential harmful effects of dairy consumption, irrespective of dairy fat, on cardiometabolic risk. Thus, the focus on low-fat dairy products in current guidelines may need to be revisited in light of the current evidence.
