Federal nutrition guidelines have long advised limiting full-fat dairy due in large part to its saturated fat content, which could be harmful to health, including by raising the risk of cardiovascular disease, Dr. Eilerman says.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults and children age 2 and older avoid full-fat dairy products and opt for lower-fat versions instead.
However, “Some newer studies suggest that dairy — whether low-fat or full-fat — may have neutral effects on cardiovascular health when consumed in moderation,” says Sapna Batheja, PhD, RDN, an associate professor of food and nutrition studies at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. “The relationship between dairy fat and health outcomes is more complex than once thought.”
She adds, “These benefits are still being studied, and the higher calorie and saturated fat content in whole-milk dairy may not be ideal for everyone.”
Results from a research review published in 2025 suggest that consuming milk, yogurt, and cheese, no matter the fat content, is “neutrally associated” with cardiovascular disease risk.
A research review published in 2022 suggested that there was no clear association between high-fat dairy intake and type 2 diabetes.
A research review published in 2021 suggested a higher intake of high-fat milk was linked with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. But the authors wrote that, overall, the studies didn’t show a clear association between total intake of low- versus high-fat milk and other dairy and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
“This challenges the old advice that low-fat dairy is always better,” Dr. Echeverry says.
Overall Diet Quality May Be a Factor
Dr. Batheja says it’s important to note that saturated fat from whole foods, like milk, yogurt, or cheese, may not have the same health impact as saturated fat from ultra-processed foods, such as fried snacks or packaged pastries.
She notes that many studies linking saturated fat to poor health outcomes are based on diets high in processed foods, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates — but full-fat dairy consumed as part of an overall balanced diet doesn’t appear to carry the same risks.
“This doesn’t mean all dairy is equally beneficial, but it does mean there may be more flexibility than older guidelines suggested, and the focus should be on overall dietary quality rather than just one nutrient,” Batheja says.
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