Key takeaways
- While cheese is a food that may raise cholesterol, the saturated fat content, rather than the cholesterol content, may be more responsible for this effect.
- There is a mixture of research on cheese and cholesterol, so people with high cholesterol do not necessarily need to avoid it.
- Enjoying cheese in moderation can be part of a heart-friendly diet, especially when combined with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and low calorie foods.
Cheese offers some nutritional benefits as it contains calcium and vitamins. By choosing low fat cheeses and limiting themselves to moderate quantities, people can continue to eat cheese as part of a healthful diet.
Like other dairy products and many animal foods, most types of cheese are high in cholesterol and saturated fat. The cholesterol and saturated fat content vary depending on the kind of cheese.
The following table provides the total amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol that specific cheeses contain, according to the
Anyone with concerns about their cholesterol level should check nutrition labels before purchasing foods, as the nutritional content varies between products and brands.
It is essential to be mindful of portion size, as consuming more than the serving size listed on the nutrition label will increase intake of each nutrient, including saturated fat.
Cheese is high in saturated fat, and consuming excessive amounts can increase cholesterol levels. However, some recent studies have found that, despite high saturated fat levels, cheese can actually lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in the body.
A 2025 study suggests that this is due to the dairy matrix, in which the body may absorb fat and calcium from dairy products differently, resulting from the complex interactions between nutrients and structure.
A 2023 study states that despite the health concerns of cheese being high in fat, it is actually high in nutrients and bioactives that have a positive and beneficial effect on health such as calcium, antioxidants, and polyphenols.
While cheese can contribute to elevated cholesterol levels, a person can eat it in moderation as part of a varied and healthy diet. A person may wish to consult a dietitian about how their dietary choices might impact their cholesterol levels.
Due to the mixed research findings, it is not possible to make a general recommendation that people with high cholesterol should refrain from eating cheese.
Instead, it is essential to consider the diet as a whole. Other foods may either lower or raise cholesterol levels when consumed with cheese.
For example, a high-carbohydrate diet may increase cardiovascular risk factors, including cholesterol, in people who eat full-fat dairy products such as cheese.
Cholesterol is not the only factor to consider when eating cheese. Most cheeses are high in sodium, which can elevate blood pressure. Cheese is also a high fat food, so individuals trying to lose weight may want to limit their cheese intake.
People who want to eat cheese may need to make other adjustments to their diet, such as reducing the sodium they get from processed foods or reducing their intake of red meat.
A doctor or dietitian can help to create a diet plan consisting of meals that taste good, work well with a person’s lifestyle, and reduce their risk of heart problems.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in many foods, including dairy products and meat. The body also manufactures cholesterol in the liver.
The body needs some cholesterol to function, but if too much cholesterol accumulates in the blood, it
There are two types of cholesterol in the blood. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol particles are larger and are sometimes called ‘good’ cholesterol. HDL cholesterol can help remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol.
A person who has high HDL cholesterol and low LDL cholesterol will have a lower risk of heart disease.
Many factors, alongside diet,
- being overweight
- a family history of heart disease and high cholesterol
- smoking
- a sedentary lifestyle
This means that it is best to focus on cultivating a healthy lifestyle rather than just reducing cholesterol intake.
Individuals with high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, or other heart health risk factors should consult with a doctor and, if necessary, a dietitian specializing in heart health.
A wide range of individual factors may impact on blood cholesterol levels and heart health. For example, a person who eats a healthful diet overall may experience fewer health effects from eating cheese than someone who eats other foods that are high in saturated or trans fats.
Cheese can offer health benefits due to the calcium and vitamins it contains, but it also presents some risks. As with most other foods, it is best to consume it in moderation.
It is possible for cheese to be part of a heart-friendly diet, even for people with heart disease, if the diet consists primarily of low calorie foods, including a variety of fruits and vegetables.