Study Design & Participants
Researchers delved into the China Kadoorie Biobank, analyzing data from over 460,000 adults aged 30-79. These individuals, initially free from major diseases
like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, hailed from 10 diverse Chinese regions. The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, collected detailed dietary habits, with a notable 70% reporting minimal dairy intake at the outset. Over nearly 12 years, participants' health outcomes were meticulously tracked against national registries to understand the long-term impact of their dietary choices, particularly dairy consumption patterns.
Key Cardiovascular Findings
The comprehensive analysis revealed a significant association between higher dairy intake and a reduced risk of several critical cardiovascular events. Specifically, individuals consuming more dairy experienced a 12% lower risk of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Furthermore, the study indicated a substantial 31% decrease in the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage, a type of stroke caused by brain bleeding, and an 18% reduction in the likelihood of cardiovascular death. These protective effects were observed even after accounting for various lifestyle factors, suggesting a potential beneficial role for dairy in maintaining vascular health.
The Other Side of Dairy
While the study highlighted protective benefits, it also uncovered a less favorable association. Those who consumed at least four servings of dairy weekly showed an 11% increased risk of developing ischemic heart disease when compared to individuals with rare or no dairy consumption. This finding suggests a more intricate relationship, where the type or quantity of dairy might influence different aspects of heart health. The study also noted that while dairy intake initially appeared linked to a lower diabetes risk, this association vanished after accounting for Body Mass Index (BMI), indicating dairy's influence on diabetes might be mediated by its effect on weight management.
Dairy's Impact on Health Markers
Beyond specific disease risks, the research indicated that increased dairy consumption correlated with positive changes in key health indicators. Participants who incorporated more dairy into their diets tended to exhibit lower Body Mass Index (BMI) and reduced blood pressure levels. These findings suggest that dairy may play a role in managing weight and hypertension, which are significant contributors to cardiometabolic diseases, thereby contributing to its observed protective effects against certain cardiovascular events.
Study Limitations & Real-World Takeaways
It's crucial to acknowledge the study's limitations, including reliance on self-reported dietary data and the inability to differentiate between various dairy products like milk, yogurt, or cheese, each potentially having unique effects. The findings, derived from a Chinese population, may also have limited applicability to other demographics. Nevertheless, for populations with traditionally low dairy intake, like those in China, these results suggest that incorporating moderate amounts of dairy could offer benefits for heart and vascular health, potentially by influencing blood pressure and other biomarkers, while remaining mindful of the elevated risk for ischemic heart disease.
