Milk ‘can cut risk of stroke’

A PINT of milk a day can reduce the risk of stroke or heart disease among men by a third, according to a study presented in Dublin.

Professor Peter Elwood, from the University of Wales in Cardiff, analysed 10 international studies involving more than 400,000 people for up to 28 years. The information from all these research programmes revealed a 13% lower risk of heart disease and a 17% lower risk of stroke for those with the highest milk consumption compared to the lowest.

“All of this evidence taken together would suggest that a general increase in milk drinking throughout the community could help address several of tomorrow’s major health concerns,” said Prof Elwood.

He presented his findings at a briefing organised by the National Dairy Council. His interest in the subject stems from his involvement with a University of Bristol study of more than 2,500 men, which revealed a

significant reduction in risks of heart disease and stroke from drinking milk.

“Myths and misconceptions about milk are important areas for health promoters to tackle the prevention of chronic conditions such as obesity and heart disease,” he said.

The subjects of the Bristol study were recruited to take part between 1979 and 1983, when they were aged between 45 and 59. At the time, detailed dietary and lifestyle information along with cardiovascular risk factors was collected.

The NDC said it was good to know that milk does not increase risk of heart disease and stroke as previously thought.

“Milk confers many benefits for bone health, dental health, blood pressure and body weight,” it said.