Eating cheese may hold the key to a longer life according to the latest research. That doesn't mean we can binge to our hearts' content. Study authors say that a match box sized portion of cheese may reduce the risk of a heart attack by 14%. All naturally made cheeses are rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins that may protect against cardiovascular disease.

Cheeses are loaded with calcium, which means that the high fat content in cheese doesn't get absorbed as easily. Study participants who ate about 40g of cheese per day gained the greatest decrease in risk to their heart health. The researchers also said that cheese boosted good cholesterol or HDL while bad cholesterol or LDL was reduced. Calcium from cheese and other dairy products were essential in decreasing the fat in the body.

Ian Givens, Professor of Food Chain Nutrition at Reading University, remarked. They do seem to be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and - particularly with yoghurt - Type 2 diabetes, which is an area of research we are trying to develop because there are 700 new cases every day. The biggest element in cheese appears to be the close association between calcium and fat.

Recent studies show mounting evidence that dairy products seem to be beneficial to heart health. Specific studies involving cheese demonstrate no correlation between eating cheese and heart disease.