Drinking milk increases the risk of heart disease – but only for one sex

It might be time to switch to soy. Or almonds. Or oatmeal.

Drinking regular cow’s milk may increase your risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), a condition that can lead to heart attacksaccording to a new study published in BMK Medicine on Friday.

The researchers found that the risk also increased more milk was drunk – but only about half the population can worry about this.

A woman drinks a glass of milk. — Researchers in Sweden found that women who drank about the same amount of milk or Starbucks latte every day had an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. PheelingsMedia – stock.adobe.com

A team from Uppsala University in Sweden found that women are more likely to develop heart disease if they consume dairy products, but men’s heart health is not affected in the same way.

Looking at data from approximately 60,000 women and 40,000 men, they found that women who drank 400 ml (13.53 oz) of milk per day had a 5% increased risk of heat illness. For comparison: Grande latte from Starbucks is made from 12 ounces of milk.

Increasing the dose to 600 ml (20.29 oz) increased the risk by 12%, and decreasing the dose to 800 ml (27.05 oz) increased the risk by 21%.

Researchers believe lactose in milk may cause inflammation that can damage the heart.

In people with coronary artery disease (also called coronary artery disease), the heart’s arteries become narrowed, limiting the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. This can cause chest pain and, in severe cases, a heart attack.

A man drinks a glass of milk. — The risk increased as more milk was consumed, but only for women—men did not have the same problem. Ambrophoto – stock.adobe.com

“A healthy diet is essential for the prevention of cardiovascular disease,” said study author Professor Karl Michaelsson.

“Our analysis confirms an association between milk consumption of more than 300 ml per day and higher rates of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction (heart attack), especially in women, but not in men.”

“A higher risk in women was evident regardless of milk fat content. Replacing unfermented milk with moderate consumption of fermented milk may reduce the risks,” Mikaelsson added.

Milk consumption in the United States has been declining since the 1940s. According to USDA dataBetween 2017 and 2018, Americans drank an average of just 0.33 cups (2.64 ounces) per day.