Extensive scientific research analyzed the relationship between regular milk consumption and blood cholesterol levels. The results dispel a popular myth about the subject.
As part of the new study, researchers analyzed data from nearly two million individuals and found that people who drank large amounts of milk regularly had lower cholesterol levels, either good or bad, in their blood.
While research showed that people who consume this nutrient often have higher body mass indexes (BMI), it also suggests that regular milk drinkers have an up to 14% lower risk of coronary heart disease.
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“The study certainly shows that milk consumption is not a significant issue for cardiovascular disease risk even though there was a small rise in BMI and body fat among milk drinkers,” said Vimal Karani, study author and Professor of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics at the University of Reading (UK).
According to the institution, the new research was carried out “as a result of several contradictory studies” previously carried out that showed a causal link between higher dairy intake and cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
To clarify the results, the scientists used a genetic approach in their study. They observed a variation in the lactase gene associated with the digestion of lactose – the sugar in milk.
Additionally, to account for inconsistencies in sample size, ethnicity, and other factors that can potentially alter the outcome, the team performed a meta-analysis of data from about 1.9 million people.
However, scientists still do not know the exact reason why milk consumers have lower blood cholesterol levels.
“It remains unclear whether it is the fat content in dairy products that is contributing to the lower cholesterol levels or it is due to an unknown ‘milk factor’,” Karani stressed.
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The research was published May 24 in the scientific journal International Journal of Obesity.
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