Low-fat and high-fat dairy products are differently related to blood lipids and cardiovascular risk score

Fat content of dairy foods is diverse, potentially leading to varying effects on cardiovascular risk. We studied relationships of low- and high-fat dairy products with lipids and level of cardiovascular risk (assessed by the SCORE equation), in a cross-sectional population survey conducted in three French areas.

A sample of 3078 participants aged 35–64 years underwent a standardized cardiovascular risk assessment. Subjects were asked to record the types and amounts of foods and beverages they consumed over a three-consecutive-day period. Dairy products were separated into two groups: the low-fat group comprised milk (including milk in desserts and beverages), yogurts and cottage cheese, whereas other cheeses formed the high-fat group.

After adjustment (including physical activity and a diet quality score), the probability of an increased cardiovascular mortality score (≥1%) decreased from the lowest to the highest quartile (Q) of low-fat dairy intake: odds ratio (OR) OR_Q1 = 1; OR_Q2 = 0.89 (95% confidence interval: 0.73–1.10), OR_Q3 = 0.78 (0.63–0.97) and OR_Q4 = 0.68 (0.55–0.85) for the first, second, third and fourth quartile, respectively. Results were notably different for high-fat dairy intake: OR_Q2 = 1.02 (0.82–1.25); OR_Q3 = 0.90 (0.73–1.11); OR_Q4 = 1.07 (0.86–1.32). Intake of low-fat dairy products was inversely associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), but no significant independent relationship was found with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or triglycerides. None of the lipid parameters was significantly associated with the consumption of high-fat dairy products.

Participants with the highest intake of low-fat dairy products had the lowest mortality risk score and exhibited the best LDL-C profile. Such favourable associations were not observed with cheese consumption.