Is Yogurt the Latest Heart Health Food?

Responsible for roughly one in four deaths in the United States, heart disease is a serious problem that doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 610,000 people die every year from heart disease, making it the country's leading cause of death. However, there's new evidence suggesting that yogurt may lower the risk of heart disease.

About the Study

Researchers from Boston University, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed data involving 55,000 middle-aged women and 18,000 middle-aged women, all of whom had high blood pressure.

As you may already know, high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension -- is a key risk factor of heart disease. When a person's blood pressure remains elevated for a prolonged length of time, it damages the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease. High blood pressure is very common, affecting up to 1 billion worldwide.

Researchers found, however, that women with high blood pressure who consumed two or more servings of yogurt were 30% less likely to experience a heart attack and men were 19% less likely to experience a heart attack.

"We hypothesised that long-term yoghurt intake might reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems since some previous small studies had shown beneficial effects of fermented dairy products,” said Justin Buendia, one of the study's lead authors. “Our results provide important new evidence that yoghurt may benefit heart health alone or as a consistent part of a diet rich in fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.”

The Heart Health Benefits of Yogurt

So, what makes yogurt such a healthy food for your heart? It's unknown how exactly yogurt promotes a healthy heart, though other studies have linked this dairy product to healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels -- two key factors in heart health. By consuming yogurt on a regular basis, you can keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check while subsequently lowering your risk of heart disease.

Choosing the Right Yogurt

Not all yogurt offers the same nutritional value, and it's important to choose the right type if you want to protect your heart from disease. Rather than choosing yogurt based strictly on flavor, pay attention to the nutrition label. If it contains high levels of sugar (10 or more grams), it's best to choose a different variety. Some yogurts contain 30 or more grams of sugar, negating any otherwise positive health benefits that it may offer.