Cheese and other dairy products are among the foods most likely to raise a person’s cholesterol level. The extent of the increase will depend on the type of cheese.
However, cheese also 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.
In this article, we look at how eating cheese can affect a person’s cholesterol levels and which kinds of cheese are best.
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
| Cheese type | Measurement | Saturated fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) |
| Cheddar | 1 cup | 24.9 | 131 |
| Swiss | 1 cup | 24.1 | 123 |
| American cheese spread | 1 cup | 18.7 | 77 |
| Mozzarella | 1 cup | 15.6 | 88 |
| Parmesan | 1 cup | 15.4 | 86 |
| Ricotta, whole milk | 1 cup | 8.0 | 61 |
| Ricotta, part skim milk | 1 cup | 6.1 | 38 |
| Cream | 1 tbsp | 2.9 | 15 |
| Cottage cream | 4 oz | 1.9 | 19 |
| Low fat cottage, 2% | 4 oz | 1.4 | 14 |
| Non-fat or fat-free | 1 serving | 0 | 5 |
As the table shows, low-fat and reduced-fat cheeses have a much lower fat content.
Anyone who is worried about their cholesterol level should check nutrition labels before buying foods as the nutritional content will vary between products and brands.
It is important to be mindful of portion size, since eating more than the serving size on the nutrition label will increase the intake of each nutrient, including saturated fat.
According to the
Cheese is high in cholesterol, but, according to the USDA Dietary Guidelines from
Instead, it is the saturated fat in cheese that is responsible for raising cholesterol levels.
However, the research is mixed. A study from 2015 found no relationship between eating dairy products and heart disease after the age of 55. In fact, this study found that people who ate high-fat dairy products were less likely to die of a stroke.
A small-scale
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While cheese can play a role in raising cholesterol levels, in moderation it can be included as part of a varied and healthful diet. A person may wish to talk to a dietician about how their dietary choices might affect their cholesterol levels.
Because the research is mixed, 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 when people eat them 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 people who are trying to lose weight may want to reduce 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 cutting back on 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 that is present 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 can clog arteries, raise blood pressure, and put people at higher risk of heart attack and other heart conditions.
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 to remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or ‘bad’ cholesterol.
A person who has high HDL cholesterol and low LDL cholesterol will have a lower risk of heart disease.
In 2015 the
Many factors alongside diet
People with high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and other heart health risk factors should discuss their diet and lifestyle with a doctor, and possibly with a dietitian who specializes 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.