Consumers who eat the highest amount of high-fat dairy products have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who eat the lowest, according to a study from the Lund University Diabetes Center in Malmö, Sweden.

The study defines "the highest amount" as more than eight portions of high-fat dairy per day, using the European definition of portion, according to Forbes. Eight portions of high-fat dairy is equivalent to six ounces of whole milk or about 2.5 tablespoons of cream.

The study included 26,930 people, 45 to 74 years old, all members of the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort. Over a 14-year period, 2,860 individuals developed Type 2 diabetes, according to Science Daily.

The researchers found that those who consumed more than 30 milliliters (about 1 ounce) of cream per day had a 15 percent reduction in the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who ate less than 0.3 milliliters per day.

The study found no association between the intake of low-fat dairy products and the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Higher intakes of meat were associated with increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes regardless of the meat's fat content, but lower-fat meats had a higher risk.

"Our findings suggest, that in contrast to animal fats in general, fats specific to dairy products may have a role in prevention of Type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Ulrika Ericson, the study's lead author, in a statement.

Forbes advises that the study results may not be immediately applicable in the U.S., due to "significant differences between the average American’s diet and the average European's." Those who consumed more than 30 milliliters of milk per day were in the top 20 percent of Swedish milk consumers.

An earlier Canadian study found that higher dairy intake was associated with lower blood pressure and lower blood glucose levels. Read about that study at Progressive Dairyman Canada. PD

—Summarized by Progressive Dairyman staff from cited sources