Full-Fat Dairy Food Intake is Associated with a Lower Risk of Incident Diabetes Among American Indians with Low Total Dairy Food Intake

Metabolic effects of milk fatty acids: A literature review

Milk and dairy products are known to have a significant role in human development and tissue maintenance due to their high nutritional value. With the higher incidence of obesity and metabolic diseases, nutrition and public health authorities have recommended the intake of fat-free or low-fat dairy due to the saturated fatty acid content of whole-fat products and their effect on serum cholesterol levels. However, recent studies have questioned the association between milk fat consumption and cardiometabolic risk. This literature review aims to compile the scientific evidence of the metabolic effects of milk fatty acids in clinical and basic research studies, as well as their relationship with metabolic disorders and gut microbiota composition. Research shows that various milk fatty acids exert effects on metabolic alterations (obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) by modifying glucose homeostasis, inflammation and lipid profile-related factors. Additionally, recent studies have associated the consumption of milk fatty acids with the production of metabolites and the promotion of healthy gut microbiota. From mainly observational studies, evidence suggests that milk and dairy fatty acids are not directly linked to cardiometabolic risk, but further controlled research is necessary to clarify such findings and to assess whether dietary recommendations to choose low-fat dairy foods are necessary for the population for the prevention of obesity and cardiometabolic disease.

Cheese consumption and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review and updated meta-analysis of prospective studies

This umbrella review aims to provide a systematic and comprehensive overview of current evidence from prospective studies on the diverse health effects of cheese consumption. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library to identify meta-analyses/pooled analyses of prospective studies examining the association between cheese consumption and major health outcomes from inception to August 31, 2022. We reanalyzed and updated previous meta-analyses and performed de novo meta-analyses with recently published prospective studies, where appropriate. We calculated the summary effect size, 95% prediction confidence intervals, between-study heterogeneity, small-study effects, and excess significance bias for each health outcome. We identified 54 eligible articles of meta-analyses/pooled analyses. After adding newly published original articles, we performed 35 updated meta-analyses and 4 de novo meta-analyses. Together with 8 previous meta-analyses, we finally included 47 unique health outcomes. Cheese consumption was inversely associated with all-cause mortality (highest compared with lowest category: RR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.99), cardiovascular mortality (RR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.99), incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) (RR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.89, 0.96), coronary heart disease (CHD) (RR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.98), stroke (RR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.89, 0.98), estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer (RR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82, 0.97), type 2 diabetes (RR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.98), total fracture (RR = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.95), and dementia (RR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.99). Null associations were found for other outcomes. According to the NutriGrade scoring system, moderate quality of evidence was observed for inverse associations of cheese consumption with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, incident CVD, CHD, and stroke, and for null associations with cancer mortality, incident hypertension, and prostate cancer. Our findings suggest that cheese consumption has neutral to moderate benefits for human health.

Consumption of Dairy Products and the Risk of Overweight or Obesity, Hypertension, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Cohort Studies

Dairy products have been suggested to be related to the prevention of overweight or obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These associations are currently controversial, however, and a systematic quantitative meta-analysis is lacking. In this study, we examined the associations between dairy products and the risk of overweight or obesity, hypertension, and T2DM and tested for dose-response relations. We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to April 2021. Cohort studies were included if dairy food consumption was reported at a minimum of 3 levels or as continuous variables, and the associations were assessed with overweight or obesity, hypertension, and T2DM. Summary RRs and 95% CIs were estimated for the dose-response association. Restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the linear or nonlinear relations. Among the 9887 articles retrieved, 42 articles were included. For overweight or obesity, a linear association was observed for total dairy, milk, and yogurt. The risk decreased by 25%, 7%, and 12% per 200-g/d increase for total dairy, high-fat dairy, and milk, respectively, and by 13% per 50-g/d increment of yogurt. For hypertension, a nonlinear association was observed with total dairy, whereas significant inverse associations were found for low-fat dairy (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90, 0.98) and milk (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.97) per 200-g/d intake increase. For T2DM, all types of dairy food consumption except for milk and low-fat dairy products showed nonlinear associations, with total dairy and yogurt intake associated with 3% and 7% lower risk per 200-g/d and 50-g/d intake increase, respectively. In conclusion, our study suggests that total dairy is associated with a low risk of overweight or obesity, hypertension, and T2DM, especially milk and yogurt for overweight or obesity, low-fat dairy and milk for hypertension, and yogurt for T2DM.

Dairy Fat Intake, Plasma Pentadecanoic Acid, and Plasma Iso-heptadecanoic Acid Are Inversely Associated With Liver Fat in Children

OBJECTIVES

We sought to evaluate the relevance of pediatric dairy fat recommendations for children at risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by studying the association between dairy fat intake and the amount of liver fat. The effects of dairy fat may be mediated by odd chain fatty acids (OCFA), such as pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), and monomethyl branched chain fatty acids (BCFA), such as iso-heptadecanoic acid (iso-C17:0). Therefore, we also evaluated the association between plasma levels of OCFA and BCFA with the amount of liver fat.

METHODS

Observational, cross-sectional, community-based sample of 237 children ages 8 to 17. Dairy fat intake was assessed by 3 24-hour dietary recalls. Plasma fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Main outcome was hepatic steatosis measured by whole liver magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF).

RESULTS

Median dairy fat intake was 10.6 grams/day (range 0.0--44.5 g/day). Median liver MRI-PDFF was 4.5% (range 0.9%-45.1%). Dairy fat intake was inversely correlated with liver MRI-PDFF (r = -0.162; P = .012). In multivariable log linear regression, plasma C15:0 and iso-C17:0 were inverse predictors of liver MRI-PDFF (B = -0.247, P = 0.048; and B = -0.234, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Dairy fat intake, plasma C15:0, and plasma iso-C17:0 were inversely correlated with hepatic steatosis in children. These hypothesis-generating findings should be tested through clinical trials to better inform dietary guidelines.

Consumption of fat-free dairy products is not associated with a lower risk of maternofetal adverse events

BACKGROUND

The consumption of dairy products in pregnancy is widely extended. However, whether the consumption of low or high fat dairy produce is more beneficial for maternofetal health has yet to be established.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This prospective cohort study evaluated the effect of consumption of dairy products during pregnancy on the frequency of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a composite of adverse maternofetal outcomes (CMFO). Pregnant women receiving obstetric care between 2014 and 2017 were eligible. Those who consumed ≥3 servings/day of dairy products at 24-28 gestational weeks (GWs) were included and analyzed (n=2004). The population was stratified into three groups according to intake of fat-free dairy products-skimmed milk and fat-free yoghurt and cheese-(days/week): infrequent (1-2), average (3-6) and regular (7). Logistic regression analysis compared ORs (95% CI) for GDM and CMFO between the three groups (where the group of reference was the 'infrequent' intake group).

RESULTS

After adjusting for confounding factors, no significant associations were found between the degree of consumption of fat-free dairy products and the risk of GDM and a CMFO. Moreover, when categorized by the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (above or below the median score), associations were found between the 'regular' intake group and an increased risk of having a CMFO in women with a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.22; p<0.05). Weight gain during pregnancy did not differ among groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The consumption of fat-free dairy products during pregnancy does not seem to be beneficial for maternofetal health.

Impact of the 2017 Child and Adult Care Food Program Meal Pattern Requirement Change on Menu Quality in Tribal Early Care Environments: The Food Resource Equity and Sustainability for Health Study

BACKGROUND

Native American (NA) children have a high prevalence of obesity contributing to lifespan health disparities. Dietary intake is important to promote healthy weight gain, growth, and development. In 2017, the USDA enforced changes to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP provides reimbursement to qualifying Early Care and Education (ECE) programs that serve foods that uphold the program's nutrition requirements.

OBJECTIVE

This study had the following 2 objectives: 1) Describe a novel index to evaluate ECE menus based on revised CACFP requirements (accounting for food substitutions) and best practices for 3- to-5-y-old children, and 2) analyze CACFP requirement and best practice compliance and nutrient changes in 9 NA ECE programs before and after enforcement of the revised CACFP requirements.

METHODS

This longitudinal study is within a larger community-based participatory research study. Menus and meals served were evaluated for 1 wk at each of 9 programs before and after enforcement of the revised meal patterns. Nutrient analysis, CACFP requirement and best practice compliance, and substitution quality were evaluated. Differences were determined using a paired t-test or Wilcoxon matched test. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03251950.

RESULTS

Total grams of fiber consumed increased (5.0 ± 1.2 compared with 5.9 ± 0.8 g, P = 0.04) and total grams of sugar consumed decreased (53.8 ± 12.6 compared with 48.4 ± 7.9 g, P = 0.024), although room for further improvement exists. Although total grams of fat remained unchanged, grams of saturated fat significantly increased (7.8 ± 1.4 compared with 10.5 ± 3.4, P = 0.041). Other nutrients remained unchanged. Overall CACFP requirement and best practice compliance scores improved, although this finding was not statistically significant. No significant changes in food quality associated with substitutions occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides early evidence to support the beneficial impact of the revised CACFP requirements. Understanding barriers to compliance within rural NA communities would be an important next step in enhancing the health of vulnerable children.