Scientists from Nutritional Strategies in Canada found that dairy food intake is linked to lower death risk in heart disease, but not in cancer.
The study sought to test the link between dairy food consumption and the risk of mortality from all-causes, cancer, and heart disease.
The researchers analyzed data from two national surveys, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and NHANES 1999-2014.
These surveys provided a large and diverse sample of the US population, with 54,830 adults aged 19 years or older participating.
To estimate each person’s usual intake of dairy foods, the researchers used a statistical method called the National Cancer Institute method.
This method adjusts for the fact that people’s dietary habits can vary over time and estimates a person’s usual intake based on their reported consumption of different types of food.
The researchers then compared the risk of death from all causes, cancer, and heart disease among people who consumed different amounts of dairy foods.
They found no significant association between dairy food intake and mortality risk from all causes of cancer.
However, they found that consuming dairy foods was associated with a 26% reduced risk of death from heart disease.
The researchers also looked at the relationship between dairy food consumption and mortality risk in different age groups.
They found that consuming dairy foods was associated with a 39% and 31% reduced risk of death from heart disease in older adults aged 51-70 and those aged 51 or older, respectively.
These findings contrast previous studies that suggested that consuming dairy foods increases the risk of mortality.
However, the researchers note that their study has several strengths that distinguish it from previous studies.
For example, their study was based on a large and diverse sample of the US population and used a statistical method that estimates a person’s usual intake of dairy foods.
Additionally, the researchers adjusted their analyses for a wide range of factors that could potentially confound the relationship between dairy food consumption and mortality risk.
The researchers suggest that consuming dairy foods as part of a healthy dietary pattern may help lower the risk of death from heart disease.
Dairy foods are a rich source of nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, which are important for bone health. They also contain protein and other nutrients that are important for overall health.
However, the researchers caution that consuming excessive amounts of dairy foods may have adverse health effects, particularly in people who are lactose intolerant or have allergies to milk proteins.
In conclusion, the study provides evidence that consuming dairy foods as part of a healthy diet may be beneficial for heart health and does not increase the risk of mortality from all causes of cancer.
The study highlights the importance of consuming a balanced and varied diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods.
The research was published in Nutrients and was conducted by Yanni Papanikolaou et al.
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