Abstract
BackgroundThe consumption of dairy products may influence the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but inconsistent findings have been reported. Moreover, large variation in the types of dairy intake has not yet been fully explored.Methods and ResultsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the dose–response association of dairy products intake and T2DM risk. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus for studies of dairy products intake and T2DM risk published up to the end of October 2012. Random-effects models were used to estimate summary relative risk (RR) statistics. Dose-response relations were evaluated using data from different dairy products in each study. We included 14 articles of cohort studies that reported RR estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of T2DM with dairy products intake. We found an inverse linear association of consumption of total dairy products (13 studies), low-fat dairy products (8 studies), cheese (7 studies) and yogurt (7 studies) and risk of T2DM. The pooled RRs were 0.94 (95% CI 0.91–0.97) and 0.88 (0.84–0.93) for 200 g/day total and low-fat dairy consumption, respectively. The pooled RRs were 0.80 (0.69–0.93) and 0.91 (0.82–1.00) for 30 g/d cheese and 50 g/d yogurt consumption, respectively. We also found a nonlinear association of total and low-fat dairy intake and T2DM risk, and the inverse association appeared to be strongest within 200 g/d intake.ConclusionA modest increase in daily intake of dairy products such as low fat dairy, cheese and yogurt may contribute to the prevention of T2DM, which needs confirmation in randomized controlled trials.
Highlights
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing public-health burden worldwide, in developing countries
A modest increase in daily intake of dairy products such as low fat dairy, cheese and yogurt may contribute to the prevention of T2DM, which needs confirmation in randomized controlled trials
On subgroup analysis (Table 2), we found an inverse association of total dairy intake and T2DM risk in all strata except European studies and studies not adjusting for family history of T2DM, in some analyses the associations were not statistically significant
Summary
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing public-health burden worldwide, in developing countries. The identification of modifiable risk factors for primary prevention of T2DM is of considerable public health importance. T2DM has genetic components but is directly influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors, including dietary behaviors [6]. Experimental studies indicated that dairy protein, such as whey protein, has insulinotropic and glucose-lowering properties [7].The Multi-Ethnic Study Atherosclerosis [8] and Cardiovascular Health study [9] suggested that fatty acids in dairy might be responsible for lower risk of T2DM. The consumption of dairy products may influence the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but inconsistent findings have been reported. Large variation in the types of dairy intake has not yet been fully explored
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