NFU Cymru Milk Board recently received details of a study which seriously challenges dietary guidelines that recommends a limitation in milk intake or recommends low-fat dairy products.
Speaking to NFU Cymru’s Milk Board, Professor Peter Elwood, of Cardiff University, outlined his overview of studies which has involved reading the abstracts of 703 research papers, the detailed study of 200 of these and the extraction of data from over 60 directly relevant papers.
NFU Cymru Milk Board Chairman, Aled Jones, said, “We’ve always known of course that healthy eating and regular physical activity play a vital role in your health and wellbeing. Dairy foods like milk, cheese and yogurt make an important contribution to the diets of all age groups as well of course as tasting delicious.
“Professor Peter Elwood’s overview of world-wide studies though goes a dramatic one step further, as it shows an actual protective association between milk consumption and incident heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
“It’s really important to appreciate that the conclusions from this overview study have not been reached from selected research but from all available evidence and it started with some 700 research papers from around the world. It all points to there being no valid evidence that milk or dairy foods increase the risk of either heart attack or stroke, or increase all-cause mortality. The magnitude of this study can’t be over emphasised; it’s used an enormous volume of data and the statistical analysis proves the conclusions to be extremely robust.
“In fact, a large body of evidence from long-term cohort studies shows small reductions in the risks of vascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Two very large and detailed studies show that dairy fat consumption is associated with reductions in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
“These results seriously challenge current dietary guidelines and other advice that recommends a limitation in milk intake or recommends a diet of low-fat dairy products and reinforces the fact that whole milk and full-fat dairy products have a positive effect on our health and well-being.
“It is pleasing to hear of a small but growing band of health practitioners who support whole milk and dairy products as part of a healthy diet.”
Also present at the meeting was Andy Richardson who has been tasked by Welsh Government Deputy Minister, Rebecca Evans, to undertake a review of the Welsh Dairy Industry.
Aled Jones said, “It was particularly pleasing that Andy Richardson was present to listen to Professor Elwood’s evidence. Amongst many other issues we impressed upon him the need for Government and health professionals to review and reconsider the guidelines and food policies that they currently pursue in respect to fat-reduced milk and dairy foods, not least in our schools, in light of this overwhelming evidence from Peter Elwood’s all-encompassing overview study.”
