Archive · 10 Dec 2025
Health Experts Reevaluate Full-Fat Dairy Benefits
For a long time, health experts told us to avoid full-fat dairy because it has a lot of saturated fats, which can be bad for our hearts.
But now, new research is showing that full-fat dairy might not be as bad as we thought.
Some studies say it can even be good for us.
Experts are not sure yet, but they think that the other good things in dairy, like protein and vitamins, might help balance out the bad fats.
They also say that butter is still not so good for us because it has a lot of bad fats.
So, for now, they suggest eating the type of dairy you like, as long as it fits into your diet.
Just remember that not all dairy is healthy, like butter and sugary treats.
Recent studies show mixed results on the health impacts of full-fat dairy.
Some studies link full-fat dairy to lower heart disease risk, while others show increased risk.
Experts agree there is not enough evidence to prefer low-fat over full-fat dairy or vice versa.
Dairy products contain beneficial nutrients like protein, Vitamin D, and calcium.
Butter and processed dairy products with added sugars can be harmful to health.
- Who
- Health experts, researchers, and nutritionists.
- What
- Reevaluation of the health impacts of full-fat dairy products.
- When
- Recent studies and expert opinions in 2023.
- Where
- Studies conducted in Norway and the US.
- Why
- To understand the health effects of full-fat dairy and provide evidence-based dietary recommendations.
- Study in Norway
- Consumers of whole milk had 7% higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Study in the US
- Consumers of full-fat dairy had 24% lower risk of early heart disease.
- Clinical Trial (2016)
- Full-fat dairy in blood-pressure-lowering diet reduced blood pressure as well as low-fat dairy.
- Analysis (2020)
- Children consuming whole milk did not gain more weight than those consuming low-fat milk.
- Expert Consensus
- No clear evidence to prefer low-fat over full-fat dairy or vice versa.
- Butter
- High in saturated fats, can raise bad cholesterol and heart disease risk.
- Whole Milk vs Skimmed Milk
- Whole milk has nearly twice the calories but may help in feeling full.