In a recent review and meta-analysis published in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition , researchers collate and discuss the results of a host of substitution-model-based epidemiological studies aimed at investigating the long-term dietary associations of different food items (mainly dairy products) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including all-cause mortality, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Their literature search through three online scientific repositories identified 2,544 publications, 34 of which met inclusion criteria and were considered for the meta-analysis. Substitution of Dairy Products and Risk of Death and Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies .
Image Credit: DUSAN ZIDAR / Shutterstock After accounting for intra-study biases and specificity and correcting for demographic and medical history confounds, study findings reveal that different dairy items do not statistically alter NCD risk in included study participants. However, substituting dairy items with red meats and processed meats was associated with an increase in NCD risk, while replacing the items with whole grains and olive oils was found to improve long-term NCD outcomes. This study debunks hypotheses regarding ‘healthier dairy products’ while still elucidating the role of dietary regimes in NCD risk alterations.
Chronic, usually age-associated non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent the number one human killer .
