Whole Milk Earns Bad Rep as Study Links It With Cognitive Decline

For many, milk is an essential element that completes their diet. Whether you enjoy it as a beverage or as an add-on for your dishes or cereals, it can be difficult to imagine a day without dairy. However, a recent study warns that a specific type of milk is linked with increased risks of cognitive decline.

Surprising Link Between Whole MIlk and Cognitive Decline

(Photo : Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels)

A study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition Food Research, titled "Dairy Product Consumption and Changes in Cognitive Performance: Two-Year Analysis of the PREDIMED-Plus Cohort" analyzed the causality of dairy consumption and changes in cognition. The study conducted in Spain involved 4,668 clinically obese participants, 48% of whom are women, that had an average age of 65-years-old.

Participants of the study completed food frequency questionnaires asking about their dairy product intake which includes milk, cheeses, and yogurt. The dairy products were then broken down into subcategories: low-fat, whole-fat, fermented, and non-fermented.

To test for causality, researchers conducted different cognitive performance tests, both at the beginning of the study and at the two-year follow-up. The tests measured the participant's attention span, verbal ability, executive function, and memory. Multivariable linear regression models allowed the team to see changes in the participant's cognitive function over the two-year period based on their dairy consumption.

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Two-Year Study Results

Although the findings of the study did not suggest negative effects on the participant's cognitive performance who consumed low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt, and fermented dairy regularly. It suggested higher milk intake, specifically whole milk, was linked with higher rates of cognitive decline over the two-year period.

Authors of the recent study referenced a 2008 study revealing that abundant saturated fat intakes from milk products during a person's midlife eventually led to mild cognitive impairment later in life.

Meanwhile, health experts from MedlinePlus.gov, warn that consumption of too much saturated fat can cause a build-up of cholesterol in a person's arteries, which increases the risk of heart disease and can have negative impacts on the overall brain health.

USDA explains that a cup of whole milk can contain almost five grams of total saturated fat. This is significant since the American Heart Association only recommends a maximum of 13 grams per day for a 2,000-calorie diet, reports WomansWorld.

Luckily, the recent study does not ultimately suggest people completely sway from drinking milk or eating dairy-based products. For beverages, it would be better to opt for low-fat milk options. AHA encourages adults to aim for two to three servings of fat-free dairy products daily instead of full-fat milk. Likewise, considering other non-dairy alternatives such as chia, sesame, or flax milk can contain lower levels of saturated fat versus full-fat milk variety.

Milk is greatly used in a variety of foods that we encounter every day, and although the risks posed by whole milk aren't as great as other lifestyle habits it is vital to be aware of what you eat.

In addition to changing up your diet, consulting with a physician or dietitian is a great way to address health concerns that could lead to cognitive decline.