Merit for milk fat

The scientific pendulum is steadily swinging back in favour of milk fat.

Over 25 years ago, when I was a Director of the London-based Dairy Trade Federation, I found myself on live national radio being challenged about milk fat causing heart disease.

A new research summary issued by the Global Dairy Platform shows how far scientific opinion has shifted.

“Overall, existing research indicates that consumption of dairy products does not cause an increased risk in cardiovascular disease despite the saturated fat content in these foods. An impressive amount of recent evidence points to neutral or beneficial effects of specific dairy foods, including full-fat products …”

“… dairy fat consumption is not typically associated with an increased risk of weight gain, cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.”

“The long-held view that saturated fatty acid intake increases cardiovascular disease risk is not only losing steam, it may even be reversing course.”

“… substantial improvement in health and reductions in healthcare costs … could be achieved by meeting dairy intake recommendations.”

Powerful stuff.