Women who drink more than one and a half glasses of milk per day may have a higher risk of heart problems. But don’t worry, because you can eat yogurt again.
Drinking milk has many benefits. For example, it is full of calcium, proteins and vitamins that are good for bones and muscles. However, a Scandinavian study now shows that you also have to be careful with milk. For example, researchers link drinking a lot of milk to an increased risk of heart problems. At least, among women.
Milk is good for everyone
The Nutrition Center recommends that both young people and adults eat dairy products every day. The recommended amount varies by age group, but for adults it amounts to two to three servings of dairy per day. And that is not surprising. Milk and milk products provide many good nutrients. They contain protein and are a source of vitamins B2, B12 and calcium.
Heart disease
At the same time, ischemic heart disease (a condition in which blood flow to the heart is reduced or blocked, usually by clogged or narrowed coronary arteries) is one of the leading causes of death in adults worldwide. And there are indications that dairy products may contribute to the increased risk of this condition. However, the evidence for this is rather thin. And that is why researcher Karl Michaëlsson, affiliated with Sweden’s Uppsala University, decided to take a closer look at this together with his colleagues.
Study
Michaëlsson and his team compared the rates of ischemic heart disease and heart attacks in about 60,000 women and 40,000 men in Sweden over about 30 years. Between 1987 and 2021, 17,896 cases of ischemic heart disease were recorded, of which 10,714 were heart attacks. The participants were monitored for factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking behavior and other health problems such as diabetes. They also indicated how many dairy products they consumed daily.
Women
The findings show that drinking several glasses of milk per day can have far-reaching consequences. For example, it appears that in women, drinking more than 300 milliliters of milk per day is linked to a higher risk of ischemic heart disease. At 400 milliliters the risk increased by 5 percent, at 600 milliliters by 12 percent and at 800 milliliters by 21 percent. A similar pattern was seen for the risk of heart attacks.
Statement
A pressing question is what exactly underlies this. “We think lactose in milk is the culprit,” Michaëlsson explains in conversation with Scientias.nl. “Some of this milk sugar, galactose, can cause cell stress and inflammation when consumed at high levels. This could lead to premature aging of cells and organs, including the heart.”
Men
Surprisingly, the researchers found no link between higher milk intake and ischemic heart disease in men. How is that possible? “In women, the enzymatic conversion of galactose to glucose (via the so-called LeLoir pathway) is less efficient than in men,” Michaëlsson explains. “This difference may cause women to accumulate more galactose, which can lead to more oxidative stress and cell stress after a higher milk intake.”
Yoghurt
If you really love dairy, don’t worry. Because yogurt, for example, is a good alternative. The research shows that replacing 200 milliliters of non-fermented milk per day with fermented milk in women is associated with a 5 percent lower risk of heart disease and a 4 percent lower risk of a heart attack. “This has to do with the fact that fermented milk products have a probiotic effect, which reduces inflammation,” says Michaëlsson. “They also contain less lactose and galactose than non-fermented milk.”
Difference between unfermented and fermented milk
Unfermented milk is milk that has not undergone a fermentation process. This is normal milk as we often drink it: fresh milk, pasteurized milk and long-life milk. This milk contains lactose (milk sugar), which has not been converted by bacteria or other processes. Fermented milk is milk that has been converted by fermentation using lactic acid bacteria, such as yogurt, kefir and buttermilk. During this process, bacteria break down the lactose in the milk and convert it into lactic acid, which gives the milk a thicker texture and a fresh, sometimes slightly sour taste. Fermented milk products often contain probiotics, which can be beneficial for gut health, and they have lower lactose content than non-fermented milk.
The question of whether milk is healthy is not so simple to answer. On the one hand, it certainly offers health benefits. But moderation is important. “We should see this study as a piece of a larger scientific puzzle,” says Michaëlsson. “Non-fermented milk is often promoted as a healthy drink. But there are now several scientific indications that this statement is not always true.”
The last word has not yet been said on this. Because this is an observational study, a direct causal link cannot yet be established between the intake of unfermented milk by women and ischemic heart disease. Further studies are therefore needed to confirm the findings of the current study and to better understand the underlying mechanisms. “Other studies must first yield the same results,” says Michaëlsson. “If that is the case, the advice could be to drink less non-fermented milk and consume more fermented milk.”
Is Your Milk Making You Ill? A Cheeky Look at Dairy Dilemmas
Pour another glass of milk? Well, perhaps not if you’re a lady, dear reader! According to a recent Scandinavian study, chugging down more than one and a half glasses of milk a day could be giving your heart an unexpected kick in the teeth.
The Creamy Conundrum
Milk has long been hailed as the miracle drink, loaded with calcium, protein, and a veritable buffet of vitamins. Your bones are surely sending thank-you notes on a regular basis. However, hold your horses (or should I say cows!). New research indicates that this classic beverage may be more hazardous than beneficial, particularly for women. Talk about a curveball, right?
Facts, Not Just Moo-ds
In stark contrast to the long-standing advice from the Nutrition Center, the study led by Professor Karl Michaëlsson from Uppsala University suggests that while milk is packed with nutrition, too much could gunk up your arteries faster than a Saturday night fast-food binge. With ischemic heart disease lurking around as one of the top killers worldwide, we must ask ourselves: is it worth the risk?
Crunching the Numbers
Over 30 years, about 60,000 women and 40,000 men were analyzed for their dairy intake and heart health—17,896 cases of ischemic heart disease, including more than 10,000 heart attacks. The numbers might look like lottery figures, but this time, you definitely don’t want to win.
For women, gulping down more than 300 milliliters of milk can notably boost your heart’s misfortune. At 400 milliliters, you’re looking at a 5% increased risk, which hikes up to 21% at 800 milliliters! Clearly, moderation is needed; we can’t just drink milk like we’re training for an obscure dairy Olympics.
Blame it on Galactose?
Michaëlsson suggests that the problematic sugar galactose, present in milk, might be part of the issue. High levels can lead to cell stress and inflammation. Women, with their less efficient enzyme conversion of galactose, might be accumulating more of this troublemaker—so perhaps save the milk mustache for a less risky context.
But Men Are From Mars?
Now, this finding raises a few eyebrows. Men appear unaffected by this dairy dilemma. Seriously? Is it because men can shrug off heart disease like they do unsolicited advice about their relationships? Apparently, women’s enzyme activity in processing galactose is the culprit here. It’s like biochemical sexism at play! Ladies, it seems your poor hearts are carrying the dairy load alone.
Yoghurt: The Dairy Deal Breaker
Now, before you toss your yogurt in despair, here’s a silver lining: if you love dairy, fear not! Swapping out a couple of glasses of milk for fermented options like yogurt could lower your heart disease risk by a nifty 5%. That’s right, yogurt comes swooping in like a superhero to save the day—after all, who knew a pot of probiotic goodness could be so… heroic?
The Dairy Debate Continues
So, what’s the takeaway? Milk may have been the darling of the dairy world, but the conversation is shifting. It’s not all bad news—yogurt and other fermented delights could still play a role in your diet without sending your heart into a panic. But remember, the jury’s still out on milk’s overall health benefits—this observational study is just one piece of the puzzle. We seriously need more research before we start tossing milk cartons out of the window!
The world loves a good debate about whether milk should be our best friend or foe. Until then, ease up on the moo juice, ladies, and consider a delightful yogurt parfait over a glass of the white stuff. Who doesn’t love a bit of delicious yogurt sprinkled with fruit? Your heart (and taste buds) will thank you!
Ilk for special occasions, ladies!
### Interview with Dr. Karl Michaëlsson
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Dr. Michaëlsson! You’ve recently conducted a significant study linking milk intake to heart disease in women. Can you tell us more about your findings?
**Dr. Michaëlsson:** Thank you for having me! Yes, our research indicates that women who consume more than 300 milliliters of milk daily face an increased risk of ischemic heart disease. The correlation grows more concerning with higher intakes, showing a 21% risk increase at 800 milliliters.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite alarming! What do you attribute this increased risk to?
**Dr. Michaëlsson:** We suspect that galactose, a sugar found in milk, is a key factor. High levels of galactose can cause cell stress and inflammation, possibly leading to premature aging of cells, including those in the heart. Interestingly, women are less efficient at converting galactose to glucose compared to men, potentially explaining the heightened risk in females.
**Interviewer:** So, is it time for women to ditch milk altogether?
**Dr. Michaëlsson:** Not exactly! While moderation is crucial, dairy can still be beneficial. Our findings suggest that switching from non-fermented milk to fermented options, like yogurt or kefir, can actually reduce heart disease risk. These products contain lower levels of lactose and galactose and come with added probiotic benefits.
**Interviewer:** That’s a relief! What message do you want people to take away from this study?
**Dr. Michaëlsson:** The bottom line is moderation and understanding the differences between dairy products. While milk offers nutritional benefits, it’s essential to balance it within a healthy diet. We still need more research to fully understand these links, but encouraging a shift to fermented dairy could have positive implications for heart health.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Michaëlsson! It’s certainly an eye-opener for many of us.
**Dr. Michaëlsson:** My pleasure! Let’s keep the conversation going about making informed dietary choices.