Dairy products may help prevent type 2 diabetes
Eating moderate amounts of dairy products, such as milk and cheese, may protect against type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. But red and processed meat increase the risk.
A study by Italian researchers found that dairy products – especially low-fat versions and yogurt – help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and develops when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or the insulin does not work properly, meaning the patient has low insulin sensitivity. Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, and it is estimated that the number of cases will continue to increase in the coming years. Common complications for diabetics include heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss, and circulation problems that can lead to limb amputation.
The authors of the new work studied other studies on how health is affected by products of animal origin: all types of meat, dairy products, eggs, etc. Red meat includes beef, lamb, and pork, and white meat includes chicken and turkey. Processed meats include products such as bacon, sausages and deli meats.
‘There are several potential reasons for this. For example, red and processed meats are important sources of components such as saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and heme iron, which are known to contribute to chronic low-level inflammation and oxidative stress, which in turn can reduce the sensitivity of cells to insulin. – says Dr. Giosuè in a press release.
In contrast, dairy products protected against diabetes or had a neutral relationship with its development. Milk (200 g/day) was associated with a 10 percent lower risk of diabetes. Total dairy products (200 g/day) reduced the risk by five percent, and low-fat dairy products (200 g/day) by three percent. Yogurt (100 g/day) reduces the risk of diabetes by six percent. Cheese (30 g/day) and low-fat dairy products (200 g/day) do not seem to affect the risk of diabetes.
Dairy products are rich in nutrients, vitamins and other biologically active compounds that can have a beneficial effect on glucose metabolism – the body’s processing of sugar,” continues Dr. Josue.
‘For example, whey proteins in milk are known to modulate the rise in blood sugar levels after a meal. Probiotics are also known to have a beneficial effect on glucose metabolism, which may explain why we found that regular yogurt consumption was associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.’
The analysis found a ‘significant’ increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among people who consumed 100 grams of meat per day (+20%), 100 grams of red meat per day (+22%) and 50 grams of processed meat per day (+30%). But the consumption of 200 g of milk per day was associated with a 10 percent reduction in the risk of diabetes. 100 g of yogurt per day reduced the risk by 6%. Cheese does not affect the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
