Khaberni - After decades of dietary warnings about saturated fats and full-fat dairy products, a new wave of scientific studies in recent years has begun to reconsider these recommendations, indicating that these products may not be as harmful as believed and could carry potential health benefits if consumed in moderation within a balanced diet.
Reassessment
In a comprehensive scientific review published in 2023 in one of the major nutritional journals, researchers concluded that the consumption of full-fat dairy products is not associated with a significant increase in the risk of heart disease or type 2 diabetes, nor did the evidence show a clear superiority of low-fat dairy in terms of health prevention.
In a large follow-up study published in 2024 that followed thousands of participants, no significant increase in heart disease risks was observed among consumers of full-fat dairy, while the consumption of fermented dairy products like yogurt was associated with a decreased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Sundry dietary trials conducted between 2023 and 2024 showed that incorporating full-fat dairy into a balanced diet did not lead to a notable increase in harmful cholesterol compared to low-fat dairy.
Broader scientific reviews
In a comprehensive scientific review published by Advances in Nutrition in 2020, nutrition experts concluded that the consumption of full-fat dairy products is associated with a neutral or inverse relationship with cardiovascular and metabolic disease risks, and that the evidence of superiority of low-fat dairy is not as strong as was believed.
A systematic review published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2018 found that dairy consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, with varying effects depending on the type and amount consumed.
Mixed results
In the same vein, a large analytical study published in Scientific Reports in 2020 found that cheese consumption was associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, while high-fat milk consumption was linked to a slight increase in the risk of the disease, indicating varying effects of dairy products depending on the type.
A large international study within the PURE project published in The Lancet in 2018 found that dairy product consumption was associated with a reduced risk of death and heart disease compared to not consuming them, with no significant differences between full-fat and low-fat.
Dairy and brain health and dementia
In a long-term Swedish study that followed about 28,000 people for 25 years and published its results over the last decade, researchers found that the consumption of full-fat cheese and cream was associated with a reduced risk of dementia and vascular dementia by 13% to 29% compared to those who consumed lesser amounts.
Researchers confirm that these findings are observational and do not prove a direct causal relationship between dairy consumption and dementia prevention.
Saturated fats between benefits and risks
Despite these results, global health bodies still warn against excess saturated fats, as other studies show a link with increased cholesterol and heart disease risk when consumed in large quantities, recommending to partially replace them with unsaturated fats like vegetable oils.
Long-term nutritional analyses have also shown that excessive butter consumption may be linked to an increased risk of death, while vegetable oils are associated with decreased health risks.
What do researchers say?
Researchers agree that current evidence is complex and somewhat contradictory, that observational studies cannot prove causality, and that lifestyle, genetic factors, and overall diet play a significant role in the outcomes.
Experts affirm that there is a need for long-term clinical trials to determine the true impact of full-fat dairy on health.
Moderation is fundamental to a healthy diet
Despite reassessment of the role of dietary fats, nutrition experts agree that moderation and dietary diversity remain the cornerstone of any healthy regime, and that full-fat dairy can be part of a balanced diet if consumed in moderation, with a focus on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
