Can what we eat influences our health risks? A big international study says yes.
The research shows that eating at least two daily servings of dairy is linked to lower risks of diabetes and high blood pressure.
It’s also connected to fewer cases of metabolic syndrome. This is a group of factors that increase the risk of heart disease.
The best part? The benefits were strongest for full-fat dairy products. This means those delicious full-cream milk, butter, and cheese may be better for us than we thought!
Earlier Research and What It Said
In the past, some research suggested that eating more dairy could lower the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome.
But these studies mostly focused on people in North America and Europe. They didn’t look at how dairy might affect people in other parts of the world.
A Look at the New Study
This new study aimed to change that. The research team looked at people from 21 countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Iran, Malaysia, Palestine, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tanzania, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Zimbabwe.
The study included adults between the ages of 35 and 70. The team wanted to find out if the benefits of dairy could be seen in this diverse group of people too.
How the Study Worked
Each participant shared what they usually ate over the previous year. They told the researchers about all the dairy products they ate.
This included milk, yogurt, yogurt drinks, cheese, and dishes prepared with dairy products. The researchers categorized the dairy products as either full-fat or low-fat.
The team also collected other information about each person. This included their medical history, medication use, education level, smoking habits, and body measurements.
They especially looked at five factors that make up metabolic syndrome. These are high blood pressure, large waist circumference, low levels of good cholesterol, high levels of blood fats, and high fasting blood glucose.
The Findings of the Study
What did the researchers find? They found that people who ate at least two servings of dairy each day had a 24% lower risk of metabolic syndrome. This benefit increased to 28% for those who ate full-fat dairy alone.
The study also tracked the health of nearly 190,000 participants for about nine years. During this time, some people developed high blood pressure and diabetes.
But those who ate at least two servings of dairy each day had an 11-12% lower risk of both conditions.
What Does This Mean for Us?
This study is not the final word on the benefits of dairy. But it suggests that eating dairy may be a simple and low-cost way to lower the risk of health problems.
These include metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
Keep in mind, however, this is an observational study. That means it can’t prove that eating dairy is the direct cause of these health benefits.
There might be other factors at play. For example, people who eat more dairy might also have other healthy habits.
Still, if you enjoy dairy, this research is good news. It suggests that including dairy in your diet – especially full-fat versions – might be a tasty way to keep your heart healthy and your blood sugar in check.
As always, if you have any concerns about your diet, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.
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The study was published in the BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.
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