High-fat dairy products ‘lower diabetes risk’

People who take eight or more portions of high-fat dairy produce every day are at a lower risk of developing diabetes than those who have only one portion a day, new research reveals.

A study of almost 27,000 people, aged between 45 and 74, 60% of whom were female, showed that those who increased their intake of foods including cream and high-fat milk had a 23% lower risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

The study also tracked diabetes rates associated with eating meat and meat products like sausage. While there was an increased risk with a greater intake of meats, that risk became higher for those who took meat containing less fat, the study, by Dr Ulrika Ericson and her colleagues at the Lund University Diabetes Centre in Malmo, Sweden, claimed. The results suggest that when it comes to diabetes risk, not all fats are created equal.

Dr Ericson said that the research, presented at this year’s annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Vienna, showed fats specific to dairy products “may have a role in prevention of type-2 diabetes”. She said: “Our observations may contribute to clarifying previous findings regarding dietary fats and their food sources in relation to T2D (type-2 diabetes).

“The decreased risk at high intakes of high-fat dairy products, but not of low-fat dairy products, indicate that dairy fat, at least partly, explains observed protective associations between dairy and T2D.

Dr Richard Elliot, Diabetes UK Research communications manager, said more research was needed and warned people against adding high-fat dairy products to their diets.

“Consumption of dairy products can form part of a healthy diet, but it’s important to be aware of the amount you consume — as they can be high in calories which can contribute to becoming overweight, and therefore increase your risk of type-2 diabetes,” he said.