EATING cheese regularly cuts heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes, say scientists.
Cheddar fans are 38 per cent less likely to suffer heart failure than those who avoid it.
High blood pressure is a third less likely while the risk of type 2 diabetes is more than halved.
The experts said while fat in cheese may be bad for us, calcium in it can reduce its absorption and aid cholesterol control.
Dairy proteins such as casein can reduce harmful swelling in arteries.
Experts at the Peking Union Medical College in China studied data from 450,000 adult Brits.
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They found the risk of heart disease was 35 per cent lower in people who regularly ate cheese compared to those who did not.
Professor Yue-Jin Yang said: “Contrary to common belief, cheese intake could actually reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes, heart failure, coronary heart disease, hypertension and stroke.”
“As a full-fat dairy product, cheese may be intuitively associated with high risks of heart diseases due to a high content of saturated fatty acids and its effect on blood cholesterol.
“However, recent studies showed that this may not be the truth.”
The British Heart Foundation also says it is a myth that people with heart worries should avoid cheese completely, but warns against over-indulging.
