A new Australian study reports that eating full fat dairy products could help prevent heart disease or strokes. Researchers say it is surprising, but it is not a confirmed result.

Scientists from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research surveyed 1500 people on their eating habits for period of 16 years, keeping track of who died and also as to what caused their death. Researchers found those who had the highest intake of full-fat dairy had a 70% lower risk of death from heart disease or stroke.

Dr Jolieke van der Pols says there may be some nutrients in full-fat dairy products that counteract the negative effects of saturated fat. She says eating too much fat is not good but in a healthy diet full-fat dairy can have a place.

She also said that it is interesting because for many years people have thought full-fat dairy is not good because it adds to the fat intake. But there is some increasing evidence that there might actually be some beneficial components in the fat of dairy that can help prevent some diseases

Certain fats in dairy might be protective for cardiovascular disease and it is possible that milk fat may contain nutrients that counteract the expected negative effects of the saturated fat in dairy products.

The study also found that total dairy intake had no correlation to death due to cancer or overall risk of death.

The paper will be published in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Though the findings are promising, it seems like more research is required.