What are the antiatherogenic properties of cheese?

Antiatherogenic Properties of Cheese

Cheese consumption demonstrates significant antiatherogenic properties through multiple mechanisms, with recent evidence showing it can causally reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease despite its saturated fat content.

Mechanisms Behind Cheese's Antiatherogenic Effects

Complex Food Matrix Effects

• Cheese contains a complex food matrix that appears to counteract potential negative effects of its saturated fat content 1
• The food matrix includes:
  • Different fatty acids (including beneficial medium-chain and odd-chain saturated fats)
  • High-quality proteins (whey and casein)
  • Minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphate)
  • Phospholipid components of the milk fat globule membrane 1

Bioactive Components

• Cheese contains several bioactive components with antiatherogenic properties:
  • Probiotics and bacterially produced bioactive peptides
  • Short-chain fatty acids
  • Vitamin K2 1
  • Natural ruminant trans fatty acids (trans-16:1n7) 1

Specific Antiatherogenic Mechanisms

• Fermented cheese products demonstrate:
  • Antioxidative properties
  • Anti-platelet aggregation effects
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Cholesterol-lowering effects
  • Blood pressure-lowering properties 1

Evidence for Cardiovascular Benefits

Mendelian Randomization Studies

• Recent (2024) Mendelian randomization research demonstrates causal inverse associations between cheese intake and:
  • Coronary atherosclerosis (28% risk reduction)
  • Peripheral vascular atherosclerosis (44% risk reduction)
  • Other vascular atherosclerosis (34% risk reduction)
  • Coronary artery disease (36% risk reduction)
  • Myocardial infarction (37% risk reduction)
  • Heart failure (38% risk reduction)
  • Total ischemic stroke (24% risk reduction) 2

Metabolic Effects

• Cheese consumption is associated with:
  • Lower body mass index
  • Reduced waist circumference
  • Lower triglycerides
  • Reduced fasting glucose
  • Potential increases in HDL cholesterol 3

Clinical Studies

• Controlled feeding studies show cheese consumption can:
  • Prevent sodium-induced endothelial dysfunction
  • Reduce oxidative stress by decreasing superoxide radicals 4
  • Not increase total or LDL cholesterol despite its fat content 5
  • Potentially reduce cholesterol in individuals with metabolic syndrome 5

Probiotic Contributions

• Traditional fermented cheese contains multiple probiotic strains that contribute to its antiatherogenic effects:

  • Various Lactobacillus species (L. brevis, L. kefianofaciens, L. helveticus, L. casei, L. plantarum, L. kefiri)
  • Lactococcus lactis
  • Beneficial yeasts (Saccharomyces unisporus, Issatchenkia orientalis) 6

• These probiotics may reduce atherosclerosis by:

  • Decreasing C-reactive protein (CRP) levels
  • Reducing vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)
  • Reducing intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)
  • Protecting the aortic endothelium 6

Clinical Recommendations

• Current evidence supports moderate cheese consumption as part of a heart-healthy diet 1, 7
• Recommended intake: approximately three small servings (50g each) of cheese per week 1, 7
• Fermented cheeses may offer additional cardiovascular benefits through their probiotic content 1

Important Caveats

• While cheese appears beneficial, individual response may vary based on overall diet quality and cardiovascular risk factors
• The antiatherogenic effects of cheese are most evident when consumed as part of an overall healthy dietary pattern
• For individuals with established cardiovascular disease or high risk, moderation remains important due to sodium content
• Benefits appear to outweigh potential concerns about saturated fat content in most individuals 1