Great news — cheese doesn't have to be completely off the table! The relationship between cheese and heart health is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
The concern with cheese is its saturated fat content, which can raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol and potentially worsen heart disease. For those with heart disease, it's Show Full Answer
Great news — cheese doesn't have to be completely off the table! The relationship between cheese and heart health is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
The concern with cheese is its saturated fat content, which can raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol and potentially worsen heart disease. For those with heart disease, it's recommended to keep saturated fat under 10 grams per day.
However, cheese also has some heart-friendly benefits:
- Calcium helps relax blood vessels, lower cholesterol, and may reduce stroke risk
- Protein can help reduce inflammation and fluid buildup around the heart
- One large study found that eating about 30 grams of cheese daily actually reduced cardiovascular disease risk by 3% The key is choosing the *right* cheese in *moderate* portions. Here's a quick guide:
Better choices (lower salt & fat):
- Ricotta
- Cottage cheese
- Fresh mozzarella
- Goat cheese
- Swiss
Cheeses to limit (high salt or fat):
- Cheddar
- Brie
- Feta
- Processed cheeses (American, Velveeta, nacho cheese)
A MyHeartDiseaseTeam member put it well: "I still eat cheese — just not every day. I think it's OK in moderation."
As always, checking with a cardiologist or dietitian for personalized guidance is the best move.
June 13
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