Dairy-rich diet may lower risks of diabetes, high blood pressure

A recent study links eating at least two daily servings of dairy to lower cluster of factors that heighten cardiovascular disease risk (metabolic syndrome).The observed associations were strongest for full-fat dairy products, the findings indicated.The study was published online in the journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care.To see whether these associations might also be found in a broader range of countries, the researchers drew on people taking part in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study.Participants were all aged between 35 and 70 and came from 21 countries: Argentina; Bangladesh; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; India; Iran; Malaysia; Palestine; Pakistan; Philippines, Poland; South Africa; Saudi Arabia; Sweden; Tanzania; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; and Zimbabwe.Usual dietary intake over the previous 12 months was assessed by means of Food Frequency Questionnaires.

Dairy products included milk, yoghurt, yoghurt drinks, cheese and dishes prepared with dairy products, and were classified as full or low fat (1-2 per cent).Butter and cream were assessed separately as these are not commonly eaten in some of the countries studied.Information on personal medical history, use of prescription medicines, educational attainment, smoking and measurements of weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were also collected.