Cheese could reduce diabetes risk

Cheese could be the latest superfood — and by far the tastiest — as it has been shown to help in the fight against type 2 diabetes, according to new research.

Dutch and British experts say eating two slices of cheese a day reduces our risk of getting type 2 diabetes by 12 percent.

They studied the diets of 16,800 healthy adults and 12,400 people with type 2 diabetes in Europe.

Health guidelines currently recommend cutting back on high-fat diary products to prevent diabetes because it's believed the saturated fat increases cholesterol, which raises the risk of diabetes.

But this study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found people who ate 55g of cheese or 55g of yoghurt each day were 12 percent less likely to develop the condition.

According to the UK's Daily Mail, the researchers said not all saturated fats were harmful and that the probiotic bacteria in cheese and milk could lower cholesterol and provide vitamins that prevent type 2 diabetes.

They also suggested that cheese and yoghurt's vitamin D, calcium and magnesium could help the body ward off the condition.

Accredited practicing dietitian Mellissa Hay, from the Australian Diabetes Council, told ninemsn cheese can be part of a healthy diet, but there is not enough research to warrant changing Australian recommendations of only one serving per day.

"The amount used in the study was only two slices a day, which is one serve," she said.

"The Australian dietary guidelines recommend two to three serves of low fat dairy per day for general healthy eating. But for cheese it is one serve per day because it is high in fat and salt, which can impact your weight and blood pressure negatively."

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body doesn't produce enough of the hormone insulin to convert sugar to energy.

Sufferers have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, eye disease and kidney disease.

An estimated 3.6 million Australians have diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Eating a healthy diet that includes lots of vegetables and getting regular exercise can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.