Table 1.

Potential pathways for cardiometabolic benefits of whole-fat dairy foods

Benefits of specific fatty acids in dairy fat Branch-chain fatty acids Medium-chain saturated fats Trace ruminant trans fats, e.g. C16:1n-7t Benefits of fermentation (e.g. cheese) Vitamin K2 Other microbiome interactions Benefits of probiotics (e.g. in yogurt) Replacement of calories from unhealthful foods, especially refined complex carbohydrates, starches, and sugars Other, unknown trace bioactives