The Claim

Higher cheese consumption is associated with a 3% lower risk of all-cause mortality in healthy adults, with no significant association observed for cardiovascular disease mortality or overall cancer mortality.

Source: Fermented foods consumption, all-cause, and cause-specific mortality: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
60score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

People who eat more cheese have a 3% lower risk of dying from any cause, but cheese consumption does not show a clear link to reduced risk of death from heart disease or cancer.

See the scientific wording

Higher cheese consumption is associated with a 3% lower risk of all-cause mortality in healthy adults, but shows no significant association with cardiovascular disease or overall cancer mortality, based on data from over 1.1 million participants across 20 cohort studies, suggesting its impact on mortality may be limited to general health rather than specific disease pathways.

Why this might work

Eating cheese introduces compounds made during fermentation that change the bacteria in the gut. These changed bacteria produce substances that lower inflammation and improve how the body handles sugar and fats. This makes the body more resilient to damage over time, which helps people live longer without preventing specific diseases like heart disease or cancer.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Fermented foods consumption, all-cause, and cause-specific mortality: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

    People who eat more cheese tend to live a little longer on average, but eating cheese doesn’t seem to specifically protect against heart disease or cancer. The study confirms this exact pattern.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.