Dairy foods are a complex bunch. On the one hand, they provide a number of important nutrients such as protein, calcium and phosphorus. On the other hand, they can also contribute to saturated fat and sodium intake, and the calories in higher-fat dairy products can add up quickly. In this study, researchers analyzed the eating habits and health outcomes of 147,812 people from 21 countries around the world. Those eating at least 2 servings of dairy foods per day (including milk, cheese and yogurt) were 11% less likely to have high blood pressure, 14% less likely to have diabetes, and also significantly more likely to have smaller waist sizes, lower BMIs, and lower blood sugar, as well as higher levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Interestingly, low-fat dairy was linked with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (a risky combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and/or excess fat around the waist), while full-fat dairy was linked with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome. The authors conclude that there is a “need for large randomized trials of dairy intake, including an evaluation of different types of dairy (fermented vs non-fermented) and fat content (whole fat vs low fat).”
BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2020 Apr;8(1):e000826. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000826. (Bhavadharini B et al.)