Lifestyle: When it comes to heart health, milk has had a mixed reputation. Some praise its benefits as a source of calcium and protein, while others associate it with heart disease. However, according to a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine in the United States, there is no conclusive evidence that milk increases the risk of heart disease or stroke.
This research was based on an analysis of older men in South Wales over a period of more than two decades. When the study began in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the participants were between 45 and 59 years old. The study asked participants to weigh and record everything they ate over a seven-day period. In a lengthy process, researchers followed the participants for 20 years, collecting data related to their deaths, strokes, and heart disease-related challenges.
Of the participants followed and contacted, researchers found that 665 returned diet diaries that met the study’s standards. This represented 87 percent of the total participants. The researchers then categorized these men based on the amount of milk they consumed and compared the data to those who drank less milk.
After adjusting for other health-related factors, the researchers found that men who drank more milk had a lower risk of ischemic stroke. Their relative odds were 0.52, meaning that these men had approximately half the risk of stroke compared to those who drank less milk during the study period.
The pattern was similar for those suffering from ischemic heart disease. However, no direct difference was observed. The relative odds were 0.88, with a confidence interval of 0.56 to 1.40, which does not show a strong or direct effect in either the high or low milk consumption groups. Learn more about the study
The researchers found that all-cause mortality was similar in both groups, based on the amount of milk consumed. No significant difference in overall mortality was observed, with a relative odds ratio of 1.08.
The findings did not support the claim that milk consumption increases the risk of vascular disease. Rather, the data showed that men who consumed more milk had a lower risk of ischemic stroke. The study did not suggest that milk is protective in all cases or encourage people with concerns about heart health to increase their consumption. It directly contradicted the argument that milk might be a risk factor for cardiovascular health.
Dairy and Heart Health: An Analysis
