New Study: Full-Fat Dairy May Not Raise Weight or Cholesterol

If you are a dairy farmer, you may have wondered why consumers are often told to stay away from full-fat dairy products. Now, a new study suggests, full-fat dairy may not raise weight or cholesterol numbers. These findings could be welcome news for Wisconsin’s farmers and the consumers who want to enjoy these products.

The study focused on more than 70 adults who were monitored for 12 weeks. Researchers report eating three servings of full-fat dairy each day did not raise weight or cholesterol numbers. It also didn’t have an impact on body fat or insulin resistance. Harvey Anderson, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto, organized the study. Results are published in The Journal of Nutrition.

Here’s more on how it worked. Participants were divided into three groups. One followed a calorie-restricted, low-dairy diet. The other two groups ate three servings of dairy each day — one was asked to maintain their calorie intake and another had no calorie restrictions.

Researchers found little differences in weight gain, body composition or blood lipid levels between the dairy groups and those following the low-dairy diet. The dairy groups also had higher intakes of calcium, protein and vitamin D, along with improvements in blood pressure.

Why does the fat matter?

Full-fat dairy has traditionally been questioned because it contains saturated fat. But researchers say looking at one nutrient in isolation may not tell the whole story. Milk and other dairy products contain a mix of fat, protein, calcium and other nutrients. That combination may produce different effects than researchers would expect by looking at saturated fat alone.

The study does not suggest that full-fat dairy is healthier than low-fat dairy, or that everyone should change their diet. But it adds to research which shows that whole foods can have different effects on health than individual nutrients show.

Still, for a state whose farms produce milk, cheese, butter and other dairy products, the research offers another reason to look at dairy as a whole food rather than focusing on a single nutrient.