High cholesterol: Can drinking milk raise your bad cholesterol level?

Being diagnosed with high cholesterol means you are at risk of developing chronic health problems like high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. It is a forewarning sign that requires attention and positive lifestyle changes to manage the cholesterol level to avoid any health complications. What complicates the matter is the misconceptions associated with it. The cause and risk factors of high cholesterol are highly misunderstood, resulting in poor dietary choices. Eliminating food groups like dairy and meat is a big mistake that people do unknowingly. Here we have tried to decode if dairy can contribute to a rise in the level of bad cholesterol or it is just a myth.

Cholesterol is not just fat, as widely believed. It is a sterol -a type of lipid, comprising fat and protein. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood, required by the body to build healthy cells. So, it is not unhealthy unless the level of bad or Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) increases to a dangerous level. While High-density lipoprotein (HDL) helps to improve heart health, LDL deposits in blood vessels, leading to heart problems. The food and beverages we take contain both kinds of cholesterol. For better health one just needs to increase the intake of good cholesterol and avoid the bad ones.

Read more: Are big breakfasts and small dinners the secret to weight loss?

According to a new study published in the International Journal of Obesity, drinking milk does not have any substantial impact on cholesterol levels. After an elaborate study, it was concluded that drinking dairy can actually help to lower the levels of both good and bad cholesterol. Moreover, the findings revealed that people who consumed milk regularly were 14 per cent less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. Moderate intake of milk does not spike the cholesterol level or lead to weight gain. The finding clearly indicates that there is no need to cut down on dairy intake for the sake of heart health as it has minimal impact on it. There are several other factors to be considered that can lead to grave health concerns.

250 ml of whole milk contains 8 grams of fat, but that is not the only thing that you need to consider. Milk is also rich in other nutrients that are required by our body on a day-to-day basis. Rich in calcium, milk helps to strengthen the bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in older age. The beverage is also rich in phosphorus, vitamins A and B12, potassium, magnesium, zinc and iodine.

Not only dairy but animal-based food products are also branded as unhealthy for those dealing with high cholesterol. The point that cannot be ignored is that they are also rich in other essential nutrients like protein, calcium, antioxidants and others. These nutrients are equally essential for health. So, cutting down a food group from the diet is never an ideal way to manage your health. The right thing to do is eat in moderation. 1 glass of milk in a day, 4 to 6 whole eggs per week or having chicken and meat twice a week, won't harm your health. What you should avoid is deep-fried and oily foods. These kinds of foods contain trans fat, the most unhealthy type of fat.