Dairy Consumption and Risk of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Updated Dose–Response Meta‐Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Abstract

BackgroundA higher milk consumption may be associated with a lower stroke risk. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis of milk and other dairy products in relation to stroke risk.Methods and ResultsThrough a systematic literature search, prospective cohort studies of dairy foods and incident stroke in stroke‐free adults were identified. Random‐effects meta‐analyses with summarized dose–response data were performed, taking into account sources of heterogeneity, and spline models were used to systematically investigate nonlinearity of the associations. We included 18 studies with 8 to 26 years of follow‐up that included 762 414 individuals and 29 943 stroke events. An increment of 200 g of daily milk intake was associated with a 7% lower risk of stroke (relative risk 0.93; 95% CI 0.88–0.98; P=0.004; I2=86%). Relative risks were 0.82 (95% CI 0.75–0.90) in East Asian and 0.98 (95% CI 0.95–1.01) in Western countries (median intakes 38 and 266 g/day, respectively) with less but still considerable heterogeneity within the continents. Cheese intake was marginally inversely associated with stroke risk (relative risk 0.97; 95% CI 0.94–1.01 per 40 g/day). Risk reductions were maximal around 125 g/day for milk and from 25 g/day onwards for cheese. Based on a limited number of studies, high‐fat milk was directly associated with stroke risk. No associations were found for yogurt, butter, or total dairy.ConclusionsMilk and cheese consumption were inversely associated with stroke risk. Results should be placed in the context of the observed heterogeneity. Future epidemiological studies should provide more details about dairy types, including fat content. In addition, the role of dairy in Asian populations deserves further attention.

Milk and dairy products: good or bad for human health? An assessment of the totality of scientific evidence

“…This is consistent with a previous meta-analysis by Hu et al (39) showing a non-linear dose–response relationship between milk intake and risk of stroke, with the highest risk reduction of 7–8% with a milk intake of 200–300 ml/day. Also, the meta-analyses by Hu et al (39) and de Goede et al (40) both showed an inverse association between cheese intake and stroke, however only borderline significant in the latter. Accordingly, another meta-analysis on dairy and cardiovascular disease found that intake of cheese and milk as well as yoghurt was inversely associated with cardiovascular disease risk (41).…”

Meta-Analysis of Milk Consumption and the Risk of Cognitive Disorders

“…The associations of milk or dairy intake and chronic diseases have been under investigation, but the results are not conclusive. Previous studies reported that milk intake was inconsistently associated high blood pressure, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality [7,8,9,10,11,12]. …”

Misvisende om kosthold i ny nasjonal retningslinje for forebygging av hjerte- og karsykdommer

“…Én metaanalyse undersøkte kun sammenhenger mellom meieriprodukter og total dødelighet 171 . To metaanalyser undersøkte kun sammenhenger mellom meieriprodukter og risiko for hjerneslag 172,173 . Én metaanalyse omhandlet kun ost 174 mens én metaanalyse omhandlet kun melk og syrnede melkeprodukter (inkl.…”

“…Fire metaanalyser fant at spesifikt magre meieriprodukter og/eller mager melk var forbundet med lavere risiko 172,173,176,177 . Alexander og medarbeidere og de Goede og medarbeidere fant at også fete meieriprodukter var forbundet med lavere risiko, men de Goede fant samtidig at helmelk var forbundet med økt risiko 172 . Qin fant ingen signifikant sammenheng mellom fete meieriprodukter og risiko for hjerneslag.…”

“…Qin fant ingen signifikant sammenheng mellom fete meieriprodukter og risiko for hjerneslag. Når det gjelder ost var det forbundet med lavere risiko for hjerneslag i fire metaanalyser 173,174,176,177 , de Goede og medarbeidere fant ingen signifikant sammenheng 172 . Alexander og medarbeidere fant også en sterk sammenheng mellom inntak av kalsium fra meieriprodukter og risiko for hjerneslag, men ikke for hjerte-og karsykdom generelt 177 .…”