In a nutshell
The aim of this study was to assess the association between dairy in the diet and death/major heart disease. The main finding of the study was that dairy in the diet was associated with a lower risk of death and major cardiovascular events.
Some background
Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular, CV) disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Major CV events include stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, and death from heart disease. Dietary guidelines recommend reducing whole-fat dairy products in the diet. This is mainly because they are a source of fat and cholesterol. High fat and cholesterol are assumed to increase heart disease. However, dairy products also contain a number of nutrients such as calcium and vitamin K.
Many studies have investigated the association between CV disease and dairy intake. However, they have shown varying results. Therefore, the association between dairy intake and CV disease/death is still not known.
Methods & findings
This study included 136,384 individuals who reported on their daily dairy intake. Individuals were followed up for an average of 9.1 years.
Higher intake of dairy (more than 2 servings per day) was associated with a 16% lower risk of major CV events. It was also associated with a 17% lower risk of death, a 23% lower risk of death due to heart disease, a 22% lower risk of major CV disease and a 34% lower risk of stroke compared with no dairy intake. There was no significant association between dairy intake and heart attacks.
A high intake of milk (more than 1 servings a day) was associated with a 10% lower risk of major CV events. High intake of yogurt was associated with a 14% lower risk of major CV events. There was no association with major CV events when butter and cheese were assessed.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that a higher dairy intake such as milk or yogurt was associated with a lower risk of death and major CV events.
Published By :
Lancet (London, England)
Date :
Sep 14, 2018
