Everyday milk and dairy products are considered healthy. However, low-fat and high-fat products can affect the risk of type 2 diabetes.
India is growing to become the diabetes capital with over millions of people suffering from this metabolic condition. Thousands of people, especially in rural areas, have also not been diagnosed. One of the important things in controlling blood sugar levels is dietary practices and awareness. Throughout generations, humans have relied on dairy products to obtain vital nutrients such as calcium along with magnesium and vitamin D. Scientific research now demonstrates how dairy products could act as a preventative measure and treatment solution for type 2 diabetes. The global increase in cases of type 2 diabetes makes it crucial to understand how dairy products affect metabolic health.
How do dairy products affect diabetes?
The two essential minerals, calcium and magnesium, which exist in large quantities in dairy products, demonstrate a positive relationship with reducing the occurrence of type 2 diabetes and the development of insulin resistance, explains Dr. Ankita Tiwari, consultant , dibetologist and endocrinologist at Manipal Hospital Bhubaneshwar. Research indicates that these minerals work to regulate insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes. Whey protein has insulinotropic properties that reduce blood glucose levels. When body tissue contains whey protein, it activates insulin secretion and incretin hormone production to achieve optimal blood glucose control.
The vitamin D in fortified dairy products is an essential nutrient with established links to metabolic health. The extent of food fortification differs between different countries, with several nations maintaining structured fortification systems, but others lacking such programs. Studies show that people who consume enough vitamin D experience better insulin function and better metabolic outcomes. Dietary fatty acids present in dairy products, such as transpalmitoleic acid and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have recently been identified in research as potentially affecting both body weight control and insulin sensitivity.
Link of low and high fat dairy with diabetes
The research findings are consistent with current dietary guidelines that recommend people include low-fat dairy products in their balanced meal plans. Research shows that probiotics found in yogurt provide beneficial effects on metabolic activity and gut health.
Scientists have yet to establish a definitive link between dairy fat levels and risks of type 2 diabetes. Available research on type 2 diabetes shows weak or no connections with high-fat dairy products. Research should provide more concrete evidence to determine diabetes risk factors from different proportions of dairy fat, as well as clarify the impact of additional sugars in yogurt on health outcomes. Further adjustment of dietary components and substitution analyzes in future research will lead to stronger evidence producing a definitive dietary guideline.
Low-fat dairy shows protective effects against this disease, but additional research is still required to fully understand the variations in dairy products. Health professionals, along with policy makers, should use these findings to develop dietary recommendations to combat the growing diabetes epidemic.