There’s more good news when it comes to yogurt as part of a healthy eating pattern and improved heart health. A new study published in the American Journal of Hypertension showed that eating two or more cups of yogurt a week is associated with a lower risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults who already have high blood pressure.
The large-scale observational study, funded by the dairy-farmer-founded National Dairy Council (NDC) and others, is the first of its kind to examine the relationship between eating yogurt and reduced CVD risk in hypertensive adults. Nearly 75 million Americans have high blood pressure, which increases the chances of having a heart attack or stroke – two of the leading causes of death for men and women in the United States.
Earlier studies have shown a beneficial link between consuming dairy foods, including yogurt, and some diseases related to CVD, including type 2 diabetes. This new study suggests people with high blood pressure may have a reduced risk of heart attack or stroke if yogurt is part of their regular diet.
“People who have high blood pressure are already at risk for cardiovascular disease and this study indicates that eating yogurt just two or more times a week is something easy and tangible that may help,” said Dr. Mickey Rubin, Vice President of Nutrition Research at NDC.
In the study, data from 55,898 females (ages 30-55) in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and 18,232 males (ages 40-75) in Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) was analyzed to evaluate the association between eating yogurt and CVD risk among adults with high blood pressure. The results showed eating at least two cups of yogurt per week was associated with a 30-percent reduced risk of heart attack for women and a trend for a 19-percent reduced risk of a heart attack among men. During a follow-up period, eating one cup or more of yogurt per week was associated with an approximately 20-percent lower risk of coronary heart disease or stroke.
Finally, regular yogurt eaters in the study who followed the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which includes low-fat dairy as a key food group, showed an associated risk reduction of CVD of 16 percent and 30 percent in women and men, respectively.
About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC comprises a staff of registered dietitians and nutrition research and communications experts across the country. NDC has taken a leadership role in promoting child health and wellness through programs such as Fuel Up to Play 60. Developed by NDC and the National Football League (NFL), Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. For information, visit www.NationalDairyCouncil.org.
