Contrary to what many might think, drinking milk on a regular basis may not be the cause behind increased cholesterol levels, finds new research published in the International Journal of Obesity.
Data from three large population studies were assessed to reveal that people who regularly drank high amounts of milk had lower levels of both good and bad cholesterol. Their BMI levels were, however, higher than non-milk drinkers.
Among participants with a genetic variation that the team associated with higher milk intake, there was a significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease. According to the lead researcher, the findings suggest that reducing the intake of milk might not be necessary for preventing cardiovascular disease.
The new research appears at a time when several contradicting studies investigated the causal link between higher dairy intake and cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. The authors clarify that it remains unclear whether it is the fat content in dairy products that is contributing to the lower cholesterol levels or it is due to some unknown 'milk factor.'