Diabetes type 2 risk lowered by dairy
19 August 2011
Teenagers who eat plenty of dairy foods may significantly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, particularly if they maintain the intake, a study suggests.
Taking data from a study of 37,000 women, US researchers found women who reported a high intake of dairy foods in their mid-teens had a 38 per cent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in middle-age, compared with those who had a low dairy intake.
The positive effect was even higher for women who continued their high dairy intake in adulthood. Women who reported consuming the highest quantity of dairy foods as teens and in middle age had a 43 per cent lower risk of developing the disease than those who reported a low intake (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2011; online Jul 13).
An additional positive effect was that those who consumed the most dairy as teenagers also gained the least weight during adulthood.
The researchers said the beneficial effect of dairy intake on type 2 diabetes risk may be due in part to its effect on body weight, hypertension (high blood pressure) and glucose regulation in the body.
"Certain components in dairy products, such as calcium, magnesium, lactose and dairy protein, may promote weight loss and reduce blood pressure," they said. "It may also be possible that higher dairy product consumption is associated with overall healthy diet and lifestyle, which may track through the life course."
Last Reviewed: 19 August 2011
- 1. Malik VS, Sun Q, van Dam RM, et al. Adolescent dairy product consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged women. Am J Clin Nutr 2011 Jul 13. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.110.009621. http://www.ajcn.org/content/early/2011/07/13/ajcn.110.009621 (accessed Aug 2011).
