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Lamarche B, Astrup A, Eckel RH, Feeney E, Givens I, Krauss RM, Legrand P, Micha R, Michalski MC, Soedamah-Muthu S, Sun Q, Kok FJ. Regular-fat and low-fat dairy foods and cardiovascular diseases: perspectives for future dietary recommendations. Am J Clin Nutr 2025; 121:956-964. [PMID: 40088974 PMCID: PMC12107492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2024] [Revised: 02/25/2025] [Accepted: 03/06/2025] [Indexed: 03/17/2025] Open
Abstract
Most current dietary guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) recommend the consumption of low-fat dairy in place of regular-fat dairy foods, one of the main sources of dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Here, we summarize the data presented and discussions held-relating to the validity of such recommendations-between a panel of international nutrition research experts at a high-level closed workshop on "Saturated Fat in Dairy and Cardiovascular Diseases," which took place in Amsterdam on 15-16 April, 2024. The most recent evidence indicates that overall, consumption of milk, yogurt and cheese, irrespective of fat content, is neutrally associated with CVD risk. There is also no evidence yet from randomized controlled trials that consumption of regular-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese has different effects on a broad array of cardiometabolic risk factors when compared with consumption of low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. Thus, the body of evidence does not support differentiation between regular-fat and low-fat dairy foods in dietary guidelines for both adults and children. Strategies focusing primarily on reduction of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, the main source of SFAs in Western diets, rather than on the fat content of dairy foods, are more likely to benefit the population's cardiovascular health. Future research is needed to understand better the place of regular-fat and low-fat dairy foods within healthy eating patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoît Lamarche
- Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
| | - Arne Astrup
- Department of Obesity and Nutrition Sciences, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Robert H Eckel
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Emma Feeney
- Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ian Givens
- Institute for Food, Nutrition & Health, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Ronald M Krauss
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Philippe Legrand
- Laboratoire de Biochimie-Nutrition Humaine, Institut Agro/INSERM NuMeCan, Rennes, France
| | - Renata Micha
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Thessaly, Greece; Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Sabita Soedamah-Muthu
- Institute for Food, Nutrition & Health, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom; Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Center of Research on Psychological disorders and Somatic diseases, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Qi Sun
- Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Frans J Kok
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Everett DW. Dairy Foods: A Matrix for Human Health and Precision Nutrition-The impact of the dairy food matrix on digestion and absorption. J Dairy Sci 2025; 108:3070-3087. [PMID: 39788193 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-25682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2024] [Accepted: 12/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2025]
Abstract
The nutritional value of any food product has historically been measured by the calorific value of individual components, harking back to the days of the development of the bomb calorimeter. A fuller understanding of nutrition later took into account the need for specific components, such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, that are known to be required for good human health and growth. In milk and milk products, these include casein and whey proteins, lactose, milk fat triacylglycerides, minor lipid components (both charged and neutral), calcium, and micronutrients. Whey proteins are known to be richer in EAA, compared with casein, and also to contain branched chain amino acids for muscle growth. Calcium is found in the form of the calcium phosphate mineral and is dispersed, but largely insoluble, in milk. All of this information does not take into account interactions between milk components, and therefore can be considered as a reductionist nutritional approach. This review takes a structural and physical chemical approach to understand how digestibility and nutritional delivery is affected by microstructures and nutrient component interactions, with a focus on mechanistic explanations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Everett
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
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Comerford KB, Unger AL, Cifelli CJ, Feeney E, Rowe S, Weaver C, Brown K. Decrypting the messages in the matrix: The proceedings of a symposium on dairy food matrix science and public health opportunities. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2025:1-14. [PMID: 40029217 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2025.2460606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2025]
Abstract
Although food matrix research is still in its infancy, there is an emerging understanding of the important role of the food matrix on human nutrition and physiology, as well as for public health. This understanding has largely been propelled forward by research involving different milk and dairy food matrices which has revealed that in addition to their distinct array of nutrients and bioactive compounds, milk and dairy foods also contain complex food matrix microstructures that act as nutrient and bioactive delivery systems that set them apart from the other food groups. Due to these distinct food matrix properties, milk and dairy foods may be uniquely positioned to help Americans meet many of their nutrition and health needs. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the activities and findings from a National Dairy Council-sponsored symposium focused on connecting the science on milk and dairy food matrices with opportunities for improving public health. This proceedings paper summarizes and communicates the symposium presentations and panel discussions, key insights, and next steps to help leverage the evidence on different dairy food matrices (e.g., milk, yogurt, cheese) to develop science-backed strategies to support public health and health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin B Comerford
- California Dairy Research Foundation, Davis, California, USA
- OMNI Nutrition Science, Davis, California, USA
| | | | | | - Emma Feeney
- Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | | | - Connie Weaver
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Weaver and Associates Consulting LLC, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Katie Brown
- National Dairy Council, Rosemont, Illinois, USA
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Visioli F. Redefining Protein Quality: Integrating Health Outcomes and Environmental Impacts in the Plant-Animal Protein Debate. Foods 2024; 13:4128. [PMID: 39767070 PMCID: PMC11675218 DOI: 10.3390/foods13244128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2024] [Revised: 12/07/2024] [Accepted: 12/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025] Open
Abstract
There is an ongoing debate about the relative merits of plant-based versus animal-based protein sources in terms of human health outcomes and environmental impacts. This viewpoint article reviews and synthesizes the current evidence comparing plant and animal protein sources on measures of human health like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality risk, as well as environmental factors like greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land requirements. Overall, greater consumption of plant protein sources like legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains is associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases, some cancers, and mortality, especially compared to red and processed meats. Crucially, these health benefits align with the dramatically lower environmental footprints of plant proteins across measures like emissions, water use, and land use. However, evidence is mixed for some health outcomes, and more research is still needed. While blanket recommendations should be avoided, the convergence of health and environmental advantages suggests future dietary guidance should emphasize shifting toward more plant-based protein sources. However, evaluations must consider specific foods rather than broad categorizations. New protein production methods like precision fermentation may also reduce environmental impacts while maintaining adequate nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Visioli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35121 Padova, Italy;
- IMDEA-Food, CEI UAM + CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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Kanon AP, Spies SJ, MacGibbon AKH, Fuad M. Milk Fat Globule Membrane Is Associated with Lower Blood Lipid Levels in Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Foods 2024; 13:2725. [PMID: 39272491 PMCID: PMC11394670 DOI: 10.3390/foods13172725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with dyslipidemia being a significant risk factor. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of bovine dairy-derived milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) supplementation on blood lipid profiles in adults. A systematic search was conducted across various databases up until March 2024, resulting in the inclusion of 6 trials with a total of 464 participants. The findings indicated that MFGM phospholipid supplementation may significantly reduce total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. A combined analysis of the effects on TC, LDL, and triglycerides (TG) revealed a significant overall reduction in these markers. However, no significant increase or reduction was observed on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and TG levels. Overall, MFGM phospholipid intake may significantly decrease the level of TC and LDL, while no significant changes in TG and HDL were observed. These results suggest that MFGM supplementation could be a promising dietary intervention for improving lipid profiles in adults. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to confirm these results and to better understand the potential variability in the impact of MFGM on blood lipid levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander P Kanon
- Fonterra Research and Development Centre, Private Bag 11029, Dairy Farm Road, Palmerston North 4472, New Zealand
| | - Sarah J Spies
- Fonterra Research and Development Centre, Private Bag 11029, Dairy Farm Road, Palmerston North 4472, New Zealand
| | - Alastair K H MacGibbon
- Fonterra Research and Development Centre, Private Bag 11029, Dairy Farm Road, Palmerston North 4472, New Zealand
| | - Maher Fuad
- Fonterra Research and Development Centre, Private Bag 11029, Dairy Farm Road, Palmerston North 4472, New Zealand
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