Full-Fat Dairy Products May Cut Risk For Obesity And Diabetes, Study Says

Two new studies have confirmed that people who consumed full-fat dairy products weighed less than those who drank slim products. Aside from cutting the risk of obesity, full-fat dairy products also help prevent the development of diabetes.

Researchers from Tufts University analyzed the blood of 3,333 people over a period of 15 years. Known as the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, the research reported that people who have higher levels of full-fat dairy have a lower risk of diabetes compared to people with reduced levels.

In a similar study by Harvard University, Bringham and Women's Hospital, and Karolinska Institute, researchers observed the effects of full-fat dairy on obesity. The study reported that 8,238 women out of the 18,438 participants who consumed mostly high-fat dairy products were less likely to become obese. The study, which was completed in nearly 11 years, also observed that the greater intake of high-fat dairy, the lower the risk for weight gain.

Skimmed milk has long been thought as the better option compared to full-fat or whole milk. Skimmed milk's reduced fat content was not only known to be more beneficial to health, it also helps avoid obesity.

Major dietary guidelines also said that skimmed milk reduces the amount of unhealthy fats and cholesterol in the body and is essential to bone health. However, the two new studies contradict the 2015 to 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that recommends the consumptions of low-fat or no-fat dairy products.

The World Health Organization reported staggering numbers of people with diabetes, which affects 422 million people in the world, according to Daily Mail. One in 11 people is diagnosed with diabetes, quadrupling the number in just three decades. In addition, experts believe that the soaring rates of the global obesity epidemic are caused by the growing number of men and women who have diabetes.

However, the studies do not advocate people to start consuming vast amounts of high fat dairy products to reduce diabetes risk, according to Dr. Dariush Mozaffardian, lead author of the first study. These findings rather call for a change in policy of recommending only low-fat dairy products to people, according to Time.