Does full-fat milk make you more likely to die?
High vs. low-fat dairy and milk differently affects the risk of all-cause, CVD, and cancer death: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Total dairy consumption lowers heart disease death risk, even though high-fat milk raises it.
Most people assume all dairy is the same—this study shows milk fat might be the culprit, while other dairy products (like yogurt or cheese) may offset risks.
Practical Takeaways
If you drink milk daily, consider switching from whole to low-fat or plant-based milk—especially if you’re a cancer survivor or at risk for heart disease.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Total dairy consumption lowers heart disease death risk, even though high-fat milk raises it.
Most people assume all dairy is the same—this study shows milk fat might be the culprit, while other dairy products (like yogurt or cheese) may offset risks.
Practical Takeaways
If you drink milk daily, consider switching from whole to low-fat or plant-based milk—especially if you’re a cancer survivor or at risk for heart disease.
Publication
Journal
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
Year
2021
Authors
Sina Naghshi, O. Sadeghi, B. Larijani, Ahmad Esmaillzadeh
Related Content
Claims (5)
If you've had early-stage breast cancer and eat a lot of full-fat dairy like whole milk or cheese every day, you might be more likely to die from breast cancer or other causes later on, compared to people who eat very little of it.
People who drink whole milk regularly may be a bit more likely to die from any cause, heart disease, or cancer than those who drink skim or low-fat milk — but this doesn’t mean milk is the direct cause.
People who eat more dairy—like milk, cheese, and yogurt—tend to have a slightly lower chance of dying from heart disease than those who eat very little dairy.
Eating a little dairy might be good for you, but eating a lot might not help—or could even hurt—your health; the sweet spot isn’t the same for everyone.
Drinking a lot of whole milk might raise your risk of dying from cancer, and the more you drink, the higher the risk — especially if you drink a lot.