Milk and dairy foods may protect you from chronic diseases

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In a study from the University of Granada, scientists found that milk and dairy foods could help with many health benefits and prevent chronic diseases.

Milk and dairy products contain multiple nutrients and are very important to meet the nutritional requirements for protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin B-12, and pantothenic acid.

However, consumption of dairy is decreasing and moving away from the advised level in many countries and the potential benefits of milk and dairy products for health have come under question.

In this study, the researchers reviewed the scientific evidence about the impact of dairy intake on health and death and on the prevention of diverse chronic diseases.

They found links between maternal milk intake during pregnancy and healthy development during childhood.

They also showed that dairy products may reduce the risk of frailty and decrease the risk of muscle loss in older people.

The highest intake of dairy products did not show a clear link with bone fracture risks. But a reduced risk of spinal cord fracture was found.

The team also found the differences between high and low dairy consumption. There was no link between dairy products and death risk.

In addition, low-fat dairy foods are linked to a lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

The evidence supports that dairy foods do not adversely affect heart risks and may even have a subtle protective effect.

The team found a link between the intake of dairy products and lower risks of heart disease and heart attacks.

The evidence also suggests that dairy intake, particularly low-fat dairy and yogurt is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

Likewise, moderate consumption of dairy is linked to a lower risk for colorectal and bladder cancer.

Finally, milk or dairy foods did not boost inflammation in healthy people, overweight/obese people, or people with other metabolic problems.

The team also found that the fortification of dairy products with phytosterols and omega-3 fatty acids may be a good way to improve heart health.

Based on the findings, the researchers suggest that adequate milk intake at various stages of life has health benefits and that it can help prevent several chronic diseases.

If you care about nutrition, please read studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and this plant nutrient could help reduce high blood pressure.

For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.

The research was published in Advances in Nutrition and conducted by Angel Gil and Rosa Ortega.

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