Studies consistently show that excessive milk consumption can be harmful.Image: E+
People who drink more than 3 deciliters of milk per day are at increased risk of heart disease, according to a new study. This is what Swedish scientists discovered in a long-term study carried out on a sample of more than 100,000 people.
Mahboubeh Brumand / medium ch
From a very young age, we learn at school that milk is good for our health. The Swiss Nutrition Society even recommends consuming three servings of milk or dairy products per day as a source of protein, calcium and various vitamins. However, studies consistently show that excessive milk consumption can be harmful. This is the case of recent work carried out in Sweden, which has just been published in the specialist journal BMC Medicine.
The team of Swedish researchers used a dataset of more than 100,000 men and women, dating back to 1987. Over the 33 years of monitoring, nearly 18,000 cases of coronary heart disease have been recorded, including more than 10,000 myocardial infarctions.
Participants reported the amount of fermented and unfermented dairy products they consumed each day. In addition, they were regularly asked about their drinking and smoking habits, as well as possible illnesses such as diabetes.
Swiss women less affected
Results: in women – but not in men – Consumption of more than three deciliters of milk per day was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction. The risk would increase depending on the quantity. If women consumed 4 deciliters of milk per day, they had an increased risk of 5%, 12% for 6 deciliters and 21% for 8 deciliters. Fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese or kefir, had no effect.
According to this study, it appears that high milk consumption is associated with an increase in ACE2 levels and a decrease in FGF21 levels. These are two proteins that regulate blood pressure. However, a cause and effect link could not be established.
According to the Federal Office of Agriculture, the annual consumption of dairy products per capita in Switzerland is 44.8 kilos. This corresponds to a daily quantity of around 123 grams, consumed in the form of pure milk, or a little over a deciliter. As the increased risk of heart disease was only observed in the study in the case of very high consumption, it can be assumed that most female consumers in Switzerland are not affected.
Controversial influence on cancer
The impact of milk consumption on cancer risk is also a controversial issue according to the League Against Cancer. Milk and dairy products are on the one hand foods rich in nutrients, but on the other hand they are the subject of criticism because they are said to promote inflammation and may contain a large amount of phosphates, growth hormones and sexual as well as residues of phytosanitary products.
It may depend on the type of cancer: some studies show a protective effect against colon cancer. Others indicate an increased risk of prostate cancer with high consumption. Regarding breast cancer, there are no clear conclusions according to the League Against Cancer.
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Translated and adapted from German by Léon Dietrich
