DNS Faculty Featured in Major International Media for Dairy Health Findings
Faculty from the Department of Nutritional Sciences are gaining international attention for their work examining the health impacts of dairy consumption, with findings and expert insights recently featured by both USA TODAY and Al Jazeera.
The coverage highlights research led by Dr. Harvey Anderson, Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, and builds on a growing body of evidence that challenges longstanding assumptions about full-fat dairy products and their effects on health.
In a study published in The Journal of Nutrition, researchers followed 74 adults with overweight or obesity who were assigned to different dietary patterns, including diets containing three daily servings of full-fat dairy. After 12 weeks, the team found no significant differences in body weight, body composition, cholesterol levels, or insulin resistance among participants consuming full-fat dairy. Participants who consumed more dairy also demonstrated improved blood pressure and higher intakes of calcium, protein, and vitamin D.
Speaking about the findings, Anderson noted that participants consuming three servings of dairy did not experience adverse cholesterol or lipid levels, adding to growing evidence that the relationship between dairy fat and health may be more complex than previously believed.
In its explainer on the research, Al Jazeera also highlighted the contributions of Dr. Kozeta Miliku, Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, noting that her research has been among studies reporting positive or protective effects associated with dairy consumption. The article cited Anderson's observation that evidence from human studies has not consistently supported concerns about full-fat dairy and pointed to emerging research, including Miliku's work, suggesting potential health benefits.
As researchers continue to explore the role of whole foods and dietary patterns in health, the work of Anderson, Miliku, and their colleagues is helping reshape how we think about dairy, nutrition, and evidence-based dietary guidance
Congratulations to Dr. Kozeta Miliku and Dr. Harvey Anderson on this well-deserved recognition and on bringing University of Toronto nutrition research to a global audience.
