A recent study reevaluates dairy products amid controversy over their health effects

An extensive scientific study published in one of Nature’s journals has revived a debate about the impact of dairy products on public health, at a time when warnings circulating on social media sites are increasing regarding their relationship to chronic diseases. The study relied on a systematic review of research published during the period between 2014 and 2024, with the aim of evaluating the relationship between dairy consumption and a large number of health indicators related to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and general health.

The study included an analysis of 95 scientific reports that addressed 29 different health indicators. It also reviewed the results of hundreds of clinical and observational studies related to milk, cheese, yogurt, and fermented dairy products. The results concluded that most of the health relationships associated with dairy consumption were either neutral or associated with a decrease in some health risks, while only a limited percentage of results appeared that indicated the possibility of an increase in some risks in certain groups or in specific nutritional conditions.

This file intersects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 3 related to good health and well-being, and Goal 2 related to healthy nutrition, in addition to Goal 12 related to responsible consumption patterns. From this standpoint, this article discusses the most prominent results of the recent study, and what they reveal about the relationship between dairy products and public health.

Dairy products under the microscope of recent studies

The recent study presented by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, one of the journals affiliated with Nature, sought to provide a comprehensive picture of the impact of dairy products on health, by reviewing the results of studies published during the last decade, which included clinical research, long-term follow-up experiments, and extensive statistical analyses.

The researchers relied on an analysis of 281 health relationships linked to dairy consumption, and the results showed that about 37.7% of these relationships were associated with a decrease in health risks, while 48% of the results were neutral, without a clear link to an increase in diseases or deaths. On the other hand, only 4.3% of the results indicated the possibility of increasing some health risks, while 10% of the results remained inconclusive due to different methodologies of the studies or varying results.

This reflects the increasing amount of scientific interest in understanding the relationship between nutrition and public health, especially with the spread of non-communicable diseases globally and their link to lifestyles and diet.

Dairy products and reducing the risk of chronic diseases

The study showed that consumption of dairy products has been linked in a large number of studies to a decrease or stabilization of the risks of some chronic diseases, especially heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.

The results indicated positive associations between dairy consumption and a reduced risk of colon cancer, bladder cancer, and some types of breast, mouth, and liver cancer, in addition to indicators linked to improving bone health and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Some studies have also shown a link between dairy consumption and lower rates of obesity or weight gain, especially in balanced diets that rely on dietary diversity and the quality of food components.

With regard to heart health, the study showed that most of the results associated with milk, cheese, and yogurt were either positive or neutral, which contradicts some common perceptions that directly link dairy consumption to an increase in heart disease.

Some sub-analyses in the study also indicated that the health differences between full-fat and low-fat dairy products were not conclusive in many of the results, which reopens the scientific debate about traditional perceptions related to dairy fat and its impact on chronic diseases.

This highlights the importance of evaluating diets comprehensively rather than focusing on one nutrient in isolation from the rest of the components of the diet and general lifestyle.

Yogurt and fermented milk produce the most positive results

The study pointed out that yogurt and fermented dairy products recorded the highest percentage of positive correlations compared to other types of dairy products. Researchers link this to the fact that these products containprobioticsand some vital compounds that may help support the health of the digestive system and improve the balance of beneficial bacteria within the intestine, in addition to potential effects related to reducing inflammation and supporting the immune system.

The results of several studies showed that yogurt was associated with a reduced risk of some types of cancer and type 2 diabetes, in addition to indicators linked to improving metabolic health and reducing the risk of some heart diseases.

The study also indicated that fermented products may have properties that differ from some other dairy products as a result of fermentation processes and changes in nutritional composition, which prompts researchers to call for more studies to be conducted to understand these effects more accurately.

Dairy products are harmful to us!

Despite the positive or neutral results shown by the majority of studies, the scientific review also addressed some research that indicated the possibility of some types of dairy products being associated with increased specific health risks.

These limited results included the possibility of an increase in some types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, or some effects associated with high-fat dairy products in certain groups. However, the researchers explained that these results are still limited and insufficient to provide general recommendations calling for complete dairy avoidance.

The study also indicated that the effect of dairy may vary depending on multiple factors, such as the type of product, quantities of consumption, the health condition of the individual, the nature of the complete diet, and the daily lifestyle. In this context, some groups may need to regulate dairy consumption or choose specific types, such as people suffering from milk protein allergy, lactose intolerance, or some special health conditions.

This reflects the importance of dealing with nutritional information in a scientific and balanced manner, especially with the spread of content circulating on the Internet that provides general judgments about food without being based on comprehensive scientific reviews or long-term evidence. Some circulating proposals also tend to focus on the negative aspects of some foods with the aim of attracting attention or sparking controversy, without presenting the full picture that includes both benefits and risks.

In some cases, limited or specific results are generalized as universal truths, although nutritional studies often depend on multiple factors including quantities, lifestyle, health status, and the nature of the entire diet.

Healthy Nutrition, Sustainability and Quality of Life

The results of the study reinforce the importance of adopting balanced diets based on nutritional diversity and quality ingredients, rather than relying on quick nutritional trends or information that is not supported by strong scientific evidence. The dairy products file is also linked to the concepts of public health and food sustainability, especially with the increasing global interest in preventing chronic diseases and improving the quality of life through healthy nutrition.

In this context, the importance of supporting long-term studies that follow the relationship between food and health is highlighted, in addition to enhancing community awareness of the importance of reading nutritional information critically based on reliable scientific sources. This also reflects the increasing role of scientific research in supporting health and food policies, which contributes to building more aware societies and the ability to achieve a balance between sound nutrition and sustainable health.

In conclusion, the recent study on dairy products reflects the evolution of the scientific debate related to nutrition and public health, especially with the growing interest in understanding the impact of diet on chronic diseases and quality of life.

In this context,The Earth Guards Foundation believes that promoting sustainable health requires supporting scientific research and evidence-based nutritional awareness, which helps individuals make more balanced and informed nutritional decisions that support human health in the long term.