Sammanfattning
Background: There is scepticism about health effects of dairy products in the public, which is reflected in an
increasing intake of plant-based drinks, for example, from soy, rice, almond, or oat.
Objective: This review aimed to assess the scientific evidence mainly from meta-analyses of observational
studies and randomised controlled trials, on dairy intake and risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, osteoporosis, cancer, and all-cause mortality.
Results: The most recent evidence suggested that intake of milk and dairy products was associatedwith reduced risk
of childhood obesity. In adults, intake of dairy products was shown to improve body composition and facilitate
weight loss during energy restriction. In addition, intake of milk and dairy products was associatedwith a neutral or
reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly stroke. Furthermore, the
evidence suggested a beneficial effect of milk and dairy intake on bone mineral density but no association with risk
of bone fracture. Among cancers, milk and dairy intake was inversely associated with colorectal cancer, bladder
cancer, gastric cancer, and breast cancer, and not associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, or lung
cancer, while the evidence for prostate cancer risk was inconsistent. Finally, consumption of milk and dairy products
was not associated with all-cause mortality. Calcium-fortified plant-based drinks have been included as an
alternative to dairy products in the nutrition recommendations in several countries. However, nutritionally, cow’s
milk and plant-based drinks are completely different foods, and an evidence-based conclusion on the health value of
the plant-based drinks requires more studies in humans.
Conclusion: The totality of available scientific evidence supports that intake of milk and dairy products
contribute to meet nutrient recommendations, and may protect against the most prevalent chronic diseases,
whereas very few adverse effects have been reported.