A meta-analysis that encompasses a series of observational studies (i.e. establishing a correlation through statistical data, but not causality between factors) on dairy and cheese consumption stated that people who ate more dairy and cheese and consequently consumed more calcium , they were also thinner. The researchers divided the studies into two groups: seventeen studies found a correlation between daily consumption of dairy products and cheeses and a lower risk of obesity; sixteen studies found a correlation between higher milk consumption (+ 200 grams per day) and a lower risk of obesity (by 16%), especially in children.

Now, the meta-analysis is not so important in itself as it is for confirming that according to the researchers, an increase in calcium through the diet can reduce the risk of obesity in both men and women. 

Calcium increase which can therefore be obtained by eating milk, dairy products and cheeses. Now, although the question is controversial, and for example this other meta-analysis reminds us that increased calcium consumption through the diet is not necessarily a sign of stronger bones , and although there may be other reasons why eating cheese and dairy products can help. metabolism (medium-chain fatty acids, found in milk products and butter, as well as coconut; butyric acid, which promotes the regulation of energy homeostasis and better intestinal balance ), researchers have suggested that calcium in milk and derivatives can be useful for weight loss because:
– could promote lipolysis, therefore reduce fat mass
– could inhibit the assimilation of fatty acids in the intestine. 

In short, eating dairy products and cheeses could be useful for our health, but be careful: this does not mean abusing them, but eating a piece of it perhaps at the end of a meal or between meals, of about 30 grams, especially if we have to keep calories under control. Cheeses are very nutritious, for example, and for those who cannot tolerate milk due to lactose, aged ones can be a good compromise (if we have a problem digesting caseins, no). If, on the other hand, we have to heed the researchers’ conclusions, an increase in calcium through the diet can also be obtained from other sources: eggs, green leafy vegetables, beans, for example.
I also remind you that quality also counts when it comes to cheeses:supermarkets abound with industrial products obtained from intensively farmed milks; yet in every city there are many local realities, consortia and so on, which can offer you raw milk cheeses, very good, healthy and rich in probiotics.
(photo via morguefile)