For the longest time full fat dairy products have been under the scanner for inducing weight. Turns out, that consuming full fat dairy products such as cheese and milk could benefit the heart, therefore you may not eliminate them completely from your diet.
The study published in journal Lancet, was conducted by a team of researchers at King's College London. The findings revealed that people who consumed three portions of dairy a day had a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
For the study data from 130,000 volunteers in 21 countries over nine years, was taken into account.
The participants were divided in four groups. The first group consumed no dairy, another had less than one serving per day and a third ate one to two servings, while the fourth had more than two servings.One serving was equivalent to a glass of milk, a cup of yoghurt, a teaspoon of butter or a 15g slice of cheese.
Participants who consumed three portions of full-fat dairy products were a quarter less likely to die early in comparison to those who ate less than half a serving a study,
The findings also said that the benefits of full fat dairy and low-fat dairy were almost the same. However, for those wanting to reduce their calorie intake, low-fat dairy may be a preferred option
Milk and yoghurt were found to be better options than butter and cheese.The study was observational in nature. How exactly is higher dairy intake linked to lower risk of premature death and cardiovascular disease is yet to be investigated in detail.
Your diet plays a crucial role in determining your heart health. Here are four other non-dairy foods you must include in your daily diet to boost heart health.
1. Oats: Oats are known to contain a type of fiber that helps bind bile acids and expel them from the body. These bile acids are made from cholesterol. A diet that includes oats is effective in lowering the cholesterol levels in our body.
2. Nuts: Munching on a handful of nuts can do wonders for your heart. These nuts have high amounts of unsaturated fats that are good for your heart as they help in reducing the inflammation of the arteries.
3. Legumes: Legumes are great for the heart and have antioxidants, proteins and fiber. They are also a great source to get your folate requirement from and also help in increasing the platelet activity.
4. Berries: Berries are full of heart-healthy phytonutrients and lots of soluble fiber. Make a quick smoothie or sprinkle them over your breakfast cereal.
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