Full-fat dairy shows no weight gain and may improve blood pressure in new study

A 12-week trial led by University of Toronto researchers found that eating three servings of full-fat dairy daily did not raise weight or cholesterol and improved blood pressure.

Researchers at the University of Toronto conducted a randomized 12-week experiment with 74 adults who had excess weight, dividing them into three dietary regimens: a calorie-restricted low-dairy plan, an energy-neutral diet with three servings of full-fat dairy, and an unrestricted diet also containing three daily dairy servings. All participants followed Canada’s food guide, and those in the dairy groups were supplied with full-fat products.

The trial revealed no meaningful differences in weight gain, body fat, cholesterol, or insulin resistance between the low-dairy and dairy-inclusive groups. Conversely, the dairy consumers showed modest reductions in blood pressure and increased consumption of calcium, protein, and vitamin D. Anderson suggests that the intertwined proteins, fats, and nutrients in dairy—the “dairy matrix”—may explain why saturated fat in dairy does not produce the expected adverse effects.

The findings could be especially relevant for older adults needing nutrient-dense foods without excess calories. The research was funded by the Dairy Research Cluster 3, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership AgriScience Program, and Mitacs Accelerate, and appears in The Journal of Nutrition.