A recent study conducted in Canada reveals that consuming three daily servings of full-fat dairy does not negatively impact body weight or cardiometabolic markers in adults with overweight or obesity. Published in The Journal of Nutrition, the research suggests that full-fat dairy can be integrated into a healthy diet without adverse effects, while also enhancing nutrient intake.
The study, led by a team including G. H. Anderson, focused on adults aged 25 to 60 years. It involved 74 participants who were randomly assigned to three dietary groups over a period of 12 weeks. The primary goal was to assess the safety and compatibility of full-fat dairy within a balanced diet, rather than its efficacy as a weight-loss intervention.
Participants in the first group followed a low-dairy, energy-restricted diet, creating a daily deficit of 500 kilocalories. The second group consumed an energy-neutral diet with three servings of full-fat dairy, while the third group had an ad libitum diet that also included the full-fat dairy servings without caloric restrictions. All groups received dietary counselling aligned with Canada’s Food Guide (CFG).
Throughout the intervention, researchers monitored various health metrics, including body weight, blood pressure, and blood markers. Findings indicated that body weight and body mass index (BMI) decreased modestly in the low-dairy group, while those in the full-fat dairy groups maintained stable weight. Notably, no significant changes were observed in waist circumference, body fat, or metabolic rates across the groups.
In terms of health markers, systolic blood pressure saw a decrease in participants consuming full-fat dairy as well as those on the energy-restricted diet. However, blood lipids and glucose levels remained stable, with triglyceride levels rising temporarily during the fourth week before returning to baseline by week twelve.
The study revealed a significant increase in protein and calcium intake among the full-fat dairy groups, exceeding recommended levels. This improvement in nutrient intake occurred alongside better adherence to CFG recommendations, which included increased whole grain consumption and reduced intake of processed foods and alcohol.
As obesity and cardiometabolic diseases pose considerable public health challenges in Canada, the findings support the inclusion of full-fat dairy in healthy eating patterns. Despite previous concerns regarding saturated fat, the study indicates that full-fat dairy can contribute positively to nutrient intake without detrimental effects on weight or metabolic health.
While the study’s randomized design and comprehensive dietary monitoring add to its strengths, limitations include a smaller sample size due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and a relatively short duration. The participants were metabolically healthy at baseline, which may limit the generalizability of the results to broader populations, particularly those with existing metabolic conditions.
In conclusion, this research underscores that incorporating three servings of full-fat dairy into daily diets does not pose short-term risks regarding body weight or metabolic health for adults with overweight or obesity. Further studies are warranted to explore the effects of full-fat dairy consumption over longer periods and in diverse populations.
