Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects one in three people in the UK and if not properly treated, can lead to heart disease, stroke and even blindness.
Changing the type of dairy products you choose can lower your risk of developing the condition.
People are advised to avoid blue-topped milk cartons, as full-fat milk is very high in saturated fat.
They should choose semi-skimmed (green) or skimmed (red) milk instead.
One cup of whole milk contains nearly eight grams of fat, and more than half of that is saturated fat. Skimmed milk contains just 0.2 grams of fat, with just over half being saturated.
Consuming too many saturated fats increases LDL or bad cholesterol.
High LDL levels will worse hypertension and put you at a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease.
It’s important not to shun dairy products altogether, as research shows that low-fat dairy products can reduce blood pressure and contribute to the prevention of hypertension.
The NHS cites a Netherlands study that found that low-fat dairy may contribute to the prevention of hypertension in old age.
“Low-fat dairy consumption had an inverse association with the risk of hypertension and the more that was consumed, the greater the decrease in risk of hypertension,” it stated.
“Those consuming the highest quantity of low-fat dairy were calculated to have a 31 percent decreased risk compared to the lowest intake.”
Dairy products contain nutrients and minerals, including calcium, potassium and magnesium, that help control blood pressure, as long as low-fat versions are chosen to avoid saturated fat.
Other foods high in saturated fat include coconut milk and coconut oil, cured meats, pastries and even dark chocolate.
The science-based DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which focuses on foods to lower blood pressure, recommends regular consumption of low-fat dairy.
It advises four to five servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy products per day, equivalent to one cup of milk, one cup of yoghurt, and one ounce of cheese.
Choosing olive oil over butter or vegetable oils has also been shown to lower the risk of hypertension.
