Regular consumption of this food can reduce the risk of heart problems
Cheese lovers are 38 percent less likely to develop heart failure than those who avoid it. Among them, high blood pressure is a third lower, while the risk of type 2 diabetes is more than halved.
Experts say that while the fat in cheese may be bad for us, the calcium in it can reduce its absorption and help control cholesterol.
Milk proteins like casein can reduce harmful swelling of the arteries. Experts from the Beijing Medical School in China studied data from 450.000 British adults. They found that the risk of heart disease was 35 percent lower in people who regularly ate cheese compared to those who didn't.
Professor Yue-Jin Yang said: "Contrary to popular belief, cheese intake can actually reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, coronary heart disease, hypertension and stroke."
As a full-fat dairy product, cheese can intuitively be associated with high risks of heart disease due to its high content of saturated fatty acids and its effect on blood cholesterol. However, recent studies have shown that this may not be true.
The British Heart Foundation also says it is a myth that people with heart problems should avoid cheese altogether, but warns against over-consumption.