Three glasses of milk a day to keep the doctor away? Not really, study shows

Recommendations to consume plenty of dairy to ward off osteoporosis may be incorrect, according to new research from Sweden. Researchers found that a high milk intake is not associated with a lower risk of fracture and - surprisingly - may instead be associated with a higher rate of death.

High levels of sugars in milk have been shown to increase oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in animal studies. The authors say this could be related to their findings.

The study found that Swedish women who have a high milk intake - but not other forms of dairy like cheese, yoghurt and fermented milk - have a higher risk of hip fracture and death.

“As the authors correctly point out, results should be interpreted with caution and further research is needed to confirm these findings. The results may not be relevant to many Australian women because of genetic differences in the way milk is ingested in populations of northern European ancestry,” said Associate Professor Kerrie Sanders, an Honorary (Principal Fellow) at the NorthWest Academic Centre at The University of Melbourne.

“Furthermore, the risk only appears to be increased in women who had a high intake of milk corresponding to three to six glasses per day. The study did not distinguish between low-fat or regular milk. The bottom line is that adults should consume a wide variety of foods. If Australians want to be cautious before more research on the topic is published, then it would be prudent to obtain their calcium requirement from a variety of foods such as yoghurt, cheese, fermented milk, almonds and other non-dairy high calcium foods as well as milk.”

“The [researchers] found that those who drank three or more glasses of milk a day were not protected from fractures, and a higher proportion of people from that group happened to die during the course of the study. Importantly, those who drank less milk, or who consumed yoghurt, did not have an increased risk of death. Three glasses of milk a day is three times higher than the NHMRC recommended guidelines for milk consumption. It’s not suggesting that it’s dangerous to drink one cup of low-fat milk a day,” added Associate Professor Natalie Sims, the associate director of the St Vincent’s Institute, St Vincent’s Hospital at The University of Melbourne.

The study, ‘Milk intake and risk of mortality and fractures in women and men: cohort studies’, was published online on The BMJ. To access the study, click here.