Full-fat Dairy Products Won’t Hurt You--But You Knew That
Research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston says seniors eating full-fat dairy products such as whole milk, yogurt and cheese are no more likely to die than those who don’t eat these products.
In fact, there is now evidence suggesting those who consume full fat dairy products have a 42% lower risk of dying from stroke.
"Our findings not only support, but also significantly strengthen, the growing body of evidence which suggests that dairy fat, contrary to popular belief, does not increase risk of heart disease or overall mortality in older adults. In addition to not contributing to death, the results suggest that one fatty acid present in dairy may lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, particularly from stroke," said Marcia Otto, Ph.D., the study's first and corresponding author and assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences at UTHealth School of Public Health.
The study was extensive, following nearly 3,000 adults age 65 or older for 22 years. Researchers measured plasma levels of three different fatty acids found in dairy products at the beginning of the study in 1992, and then measured those same fatty acid levels six and 13 years later.
None of the three fatty acids studied were significantly associated with total mortality, and one type of fatty acid was linked to lower cardiovascular disease deaths.
The research was supported by the National Heart, Lund and Blood Institute. Read more here.