The Gift of Health Benefits with Whole Fat Milk
It’s that time of year where we gather around with our loved ones, bringing together traditions old and new to celebrate the holidays. We look forward to delicious holiday dishes, secret family recipes and nostalgic baked goods made together in the kitchen. Though these long-standing rituals may never change, the ingredients we reach for sometimes do. This year, full-fat dairy is the secret ingredient you can feel good about keeping in your kitchen.
The latest dairy scoop from Advances in Nutrition and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consumption of whole milk products neither increased the risk of heart diseases or intensified pre-existing risk factors of heart disease. What else did their findings suggest? Fermented full-fat dairy products like yogurt and cheese help your body protect itself against heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Additional research from NDC’s Dr. Moises Torres-Gonzalez’s 2023 research paper, supports the inclusion of full-fat dairy in healthy dietary patterns inspiring a change in the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The current guidelines recommend three daily servings of low-fat or non-fat dairy, while full-fat options are minimized. 1
The Dairy Matrix That Makes Spirits Bright
It’s no secret that dairy is delicious and can turn any holiday dish into a decadent delight. But, what makes dairy especially great is far beyond its delectability. Packed with 13 essential nutrients, 8 grams of protein per serving and hydrating properties, dairy serves as a superfood to refuel and replenish you. The nutritional package that dairy delivers is often referred to as “the dairy matrix”. The dairy matrix stems from the unique happenings that occur when the nutrients found in dairy products are consumed together, working in synergy to produce a uniquely positive effect on the body. Regardless of fat levels, research has shown that dairy supports stronger hearts and healthier waistlines. Dairy’s rich array of essential nutrients makes it a necessary component of your daily diet alongside whole wheat, proteins, vegetables and fruits. 1, 2
Embracing the Nutritional Bounty of Dairy
Celebrating the holidays and making heart-healthy decisions is easy with delicious, dairy-based recipes. Whether you’re a low-fat or full-fat dairy lover, both options can have a place at your table this holiday season–and that’s something worth celebrating!
Other articles you might be interested in:
- Finding the milk the fits just right
- Did you know that dairy boosts your immune system?
- Dietary guidelines for Americans find additional essential nutrients in milk
References:
1 Torres-Gonzalez, M. The Relationship between Whole-Milk Dairy Foods and Metabolic Health Highlights an Opportunity for Dietary Fat Recommendations to Evolve with the State of the Science. Nutrients 2023, 15, 3570. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15163570
2 AL Unger, A Astrup, EL Feeney, HD Holscher, DE Gerstein, M Torres-Gonzalez, K Brown. Harnessing the Magic of the Dairy Matrix for Next-Level Health Solutions: A Summary of a Symposium Presented at Nutrition 2022. Current Developments in Nutrition 7(7); 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.100105.
