Can 2 cups of milk a day cause heart disease? Research reveals: Substituting "1 drink" can reduce the risk by up to 6%
Replacing milk with “yoghurt” can actually reduce cardiovascular risk, and the effect is more significant for women? A recent study published in “BMC Medicine” pointed out that if women consume more than 300ml of non-fermented dairy products per day, they may increase the risk of ischemic heart disease; and if they replace it with fermented milk (such as yogurt), it may help Reduce the chance of developing ischemic heart disease.
Is drinking milk linked to cardiovascular disease? Study: More than 2 cups a day is risky
A research team from Uppsala University in Sweden used two major databases, the “Swedish Mammography Generation Study” and the “Swedish Male Generation Study”, to exclude those with a previous history of ischemic heart disease (IHD), cancer diagnosis, etc. Afterwards, a total of 100,765 Swedish people were gathered for analysis. The research team first conducted a questionnaire survey to obtain information about the subjects’ eating habits, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and disease history.
Furthermore, the research team used a multiplex immunoassay to measure 276 cardiometabolic-related plasma proteins. The subjects drew blood on an empty stomach in the early morning, and the plasma samples were frozen and stored at -80°C. In addition, the study also used proteomic analysis to explore the correlation between the intake of non-fermented milk (milk) or fermented milk (yoghurt, yogurt) and the plasma concentration of 276 cardiometabolism-related proteins.
Can drinking low-fat milk cause heart disease? The risk of using “fermented milk” instead is actually reduced
The analysis showed that high intake of non-fermented milk (more than 300ml, about 1.5 cups per day) is associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease in women; however, no such association was found in men. Compared with drinking 100ml of non-fermented milk, female subjects who drank 400ml (2 cups), 600ml (3 cups), and 800ml (4 cups) per day had an increased risk of 5%, 12%, and 21% respectively. This trend has nothing to do with the fat content of non-fermented milk. Whether it is low-fat, medium-fat or whole milk, there is a similar trend of increased risk.
Substitution analysis showed that replacing the same amount of non-fermented milk with 200 ml of fermented milk per day reduced the risk of ischemic heart disease in men and women by 3% and 5% respectively; the risk of acute myocardial infarction decreased by 2% and 6% respectively. Women clearly experienced higher benefits. It is worth mentioning that regardless of gender, the research team found that the intake of fermented milk was not associated with the above cardiovascular problems.
Is drinking milk more dangerous for women than for men? Experts reveal 4 possible reasons
As for why non-fermented milk is related to cardiovascular risk in women? Study author Dr. Karl Michaëlsson said differences in lactose metabolism may be the main reason for the results. Women metabolize galactose less efficiently, and unbroken galactose can cause oxidative stress and inflammation, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, after ingesting non-fermented milk, the concentration of the protein “angiotensin-converting enzyme 2” (ACE2) in the plasma increases, which is considered to be related to the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
Non-dairy foods also decrease the protein fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) secreted by the liver. FGF21 has a cardiovascular protective effect. When the body is under metabolic stress, the secretion of FGF21 increases in an attempt to maintain metabolic balance. However, long-term metabolic stress may lead to FGF21 impedance, and even if the concentration is increased, it cannot effectively exert its cardiovascular protective effect.
Finally, components in non-fermented milk may activate the “mTORC1” signaling pathway, which is a protein complex involved in cell growth, proliferation and metabolism. When this pathway is activated, it will accelerate the aging process of the human body, such as cell senescence and stem cell exhaustion, thereby increasing the risk of aging-related diseases.
Dr. Michaëlsson emphasized that although this study has the advantages of large sample size and rigorous analysis, most of the subjects are from Scandinavia, and dairy intake and intake habits may be different from other regions, and the results of the study may not be inferential. Restricted. In addition, this study is an observational study, not a randomized controlled trial, so it can only show the correlation between dairy products and cardiovascular risk, not causation.
Does yogurt have cardiovascular protective effects? Harvard recommends: Don’t eat more than 2 cups a day
In fact, a previous study published in “Clinical Nutrition ESPEN” has confirmed that the “probiotics” in fermented milk such as yogurt may be the main contributor to heart protection. Some studies also believe that yogurt, which is rich in beneficial microorganisms, has a certain effect on lowering blood sugar, reducing inflammatory markers in the blood, and improving cholesterol levels in the body.
However, a large amount of sugar is added to certain yogurt products in order to achieve a rich taste. Excessive consumption may still cause cardiovascular burden. According to guidelines published by Harvard University, 20-25g of sugar is added to every 140ml (about 1 cup) of sugar-sweetened yogurt products. If calculated based on a daily caloric intake of 2,000 calories, the sugar intake should not exceed 50g; that means eating 2 cups of yogurt is on the verge of exceeding the limit. Therefore, Harvard University advises the public that although yogurt has many benefits for the human body, it should still be limited to 2 cups a day to avoid eating too much sugar.
Source:
Yogurt- TheThe Nutrition Source
Regular Yogurt Intake and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Hypertensive Adults
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