University of Toronto study finds no harm from daily full-fat dairy

A study led by the University of Toronto, published in The Journal of Nutrition, suggests that consuming three daily servings of full-fat dairy may not cause the metabolic harm traditionally associated with saturated fat.

In a 12-week trial involving 74 adults with overweight or obesity, researchers monitored participants across different dietary groups. One group consumed three servings of full-fat dairy daily without changing their overall calorie intake. The results showed no clinically meaningful increases in body weight, body fat percentage, blood cholesterol, or insulin resistance compared to those consuming less dairy.

These findings contribute to an ongoing debate in nutritional science. While many public health guidelines recommend low-fat dairy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by limiting saturated fat, this research suggests that the overall effects of whole foods may be more complex than the impact of a single nutrient.