Cheese Cuts Diabetes Risk, Study Says

Good news for cheese lovers. A recent study has found that cheese cuts diabetes risk.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, says that consuming two slices of cheese daily cuts the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 12 percent.

The new findings contradict health guidelines which recommend limiting the consumption of dairy products and fatty foods to help prevent the disease.

Although the disease can be managed by medication, proper diet, and exercise, if left untreated, it can cause many health problems including cardiovascular disease, renal disease, visual impairment, and nerve damage among others.

Approximately 25.8 million or 8.3 percent of Americans have diabetes. Around 90 to 95 percent of these cases are type 2 diabetes, the type associated with being overweight. Another 7 million have the disease but don’t even know it.

Researchers from England and the Netherlands compared the diets of more than 16,000 healthy adults and more than 12,000 patients with type 2 diabetes from eight European countries.

According to the study, those who consumed at least 55 grams or two slices of cheese a day have a 12 percent less risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those who consumed at least 55 grams of yogurt also cut their risk by the same amount.

For several years, health experts have been warning consumers against eating foods rich in saturated fat like red meat, butter, and dairy products. However, researchers and some academics say that not all saturated fats are created equal. Some can be harmful, while others can be beneficial.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is not able to utilize glucose properly because of insulin resistance. Symptoms of the disease include excessive thirst, frequent urination, and constant hunger.

Cheese and yogurt may help prevent diabetes because they contain vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and probiotic bacteria. These may protect the body against developing the disease.

Medical experts however do not recommend introducing large amounts of dairy products to your diet in an effort to ward off diabetes.

A healthy, well-balanced diet, low in fat and sodium, and rich in fruit and vegetables is still recommended, says Dr. Iain Frame of Diabetes UK. “This study gives us no reason to believe that people should change their dairy intake in an attempt to avoid the condition,” he added.

Incorporating such preventive dietary measures is essential, but it’s also vital to maintain comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to necessary treatments and consultations that support overall diabetes management and health.