Milk and Men's Health

Recent research results indicate that a diet rich in milk may be protective for the heart, and that dairy products in general reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, at least in men.

The study was conducted on men aged 45 to 59, who took part in the Caerphilly Cohort Study between 1979 and 1983. These men weighed and recorded everything they consumed for seven consecutive days – every item of food and drink that was part of their usual diet. The 665 men who had produced detailed and complete diaries were given comprehensive health check-ups at the start of the study and every 5 years after that. Check-ups included heart tracing (ECG) and checking of hospital and family doctor records.

Researchers found that men who consumed a pint or more of milk a day had a higher energy intake, which means they were more active; they also had a lower risk of ischaemic heart disease and a significantly reduced risk of stroke. These findings were true even for those men who had drunk full fat milk and only in the 1990's switched to skimmed or semi-skimmed milk.

During the study period, 54 men suffered a stroke, 139 developed ischaemic heart disease (heart attack or angina) and 225 died.

Cholesterol levels, as well as blood pressure readings were found to be similar in men who consumed at least a pint of milk a day and in those who consumed a low daily quantity. However, it was found that men who drank less milk tended to drink more alcohol.

Researchers, who had their results published in the "Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health", think that the present perception of milk as being harmful because of its impact on cholesterol should be changed and that "every effort should be made to restore it to its rightful place in a healthy diet."

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