Is Your Daily Milk Consumption Putting Your Heart at Risk? Scientists Reveal the Truth

While milk, packed with nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamins, has always been considered a super nutritious part of a varied diet, it is also blamed for raising bad cholesterol and clogging arteries.

However, new research offers a surprising twist, which says that whole milk may not be as hostile towards your heart as it has been made out to be. The study, conducted by CARDIA – coronary artery risk development in young adults, followed more than 3,000 participants for more than two decades - starting in the mid-1980s. Researchers said their goal was to see how dairy intake in early adulthood related to coronary artery calcification. CAC is the buildup of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. This buildup is a key indicator of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis, which causes narrowed arteries and an increased risk of heart attack. CAC is mostly asymptomatic, but it can also be detected with a non-contrast CT scan – known as a calcium score.

Whole-fat dairy protects your heart

The study said nearly 1,000 participants developed coronary calcium deposits over time. The researchers compared their eating habits and found that those who consumed more whole-fat dairy had a lower risk of developing CAC. So, those who regularly drank full-fat milk or ate whole-fat yogurt and cheese were less likely to have any kind of artery damage than those who consumed less dairy or stuck to low-fat options. According to scientists, whole dairy products are loaded with fatty acids – a few of which even help you maintain good cholesterol or HDL, and lower inflammation levels – both of which are important to protect your heart. Scientists also said that those who consumed more dairy had lower body mass indexes, which means that dairy provides more satiety and prevents overeating.

Should you just drink milk for heart health?

According to experts, the focus should not just be on one single nutrient like fat, but on the overall diet. Doctors say dairy should not be demonised but should be made into a balanced and nutrient-rich part of your daily meals. This study challenges old dietary rules and reminds us that nutrition science evolves. Full-fat milk might not be the heart threat once feared, but moderation still matters. For most people, choosing milk, whether full-fat or low-fat, should depend on total calorie needs, lifestyle, and health goals.

Benefits of milk

Apart from your heart health, a few other benefits of drinking milk include:

Control of appetite

Drinking milk has not been linked to weight gain or obesity, and it helps curb appetite.

Bone development

Milk improves weight and bone density in children while reducing the risk of childhood fractures. Also, studies say pregnant women who eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of dairy- and calcium-rich foods have children with better bone growth and mass.

Prevents diabetes

Type 2 diabetes increases your risk for many deadly metabolic conditions, which include heart disease and stroke. Milk plays a beneficial role in preventing type 2 diabetes in adults, as proteins improve your blood sugar balance.