Research published in April suggests that consuming dairy products reduces the risk of insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), which can lead to obesity, heart problems and adult-onset diabetes.
One in four adults in the USA suffers from insulin resistance syndrome, where the body loses its ability to control blood sugar levels. The condition often leads to adult-onset diabetes. It can also lead to obesity and cardiovascular problems.
The study looked at 18 to 30 year olds between 1985-1986 and 1995-1996. It found that overweight individuals who ate five or more dairy products a day were less likely to develop an insulin resistance than those who ate dairy products only once a day.
The research found that for every one dairy product consumed daily, the risk of having IRS was reduced by 21%.
Lead researcher Mark Pereira of Boston’s Harvard Medical School said: “The conclusions that can be drawn from this study are that, in young adults, consuming all types of dairy products may protect individuals from developing obesity and risk factors of diabetes and heart disease.” Pereira said that it was unclear which elements of dairy products were at work. In the study, the most frequently consumed dairy products were milk and milk drinks, followed by butter, cream and cheeses.
The study is the first time that the effects of consuming dairy products on IRS have been studied. Milk intake in the USA has dropped significantly over the past 30 years, while the prevalence of obesity and adult-onset diabetes has increased. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.