How do dairy products protect us against diabetes?

During a medical conference held in Sweden in mid-September, a group of Italian experts surprised everyone by announcing very good news, as it seems that the consumption of dairy is related to lower chances of developing type 2 diabetes, a disease that increasingly claims more victims worldwide. Here we tell you everything you need to know about this new study! What is type 2 diabetes? The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the United States (NIDDK) explains that diabetes occurs “when the level of glucose in the blood, also known as blood sugar, is too high.” Over time, high sugar levels can cause a series of health problems.    Although there are several types of diabetes, type 2 diabetes is usually the most common and is characterized by the pancreas not producing enough insulin. Over time, this type of diabetes can affect other organs and the quality of life of individuals.  You can also read: The healthiest foods for diabetics Do dairy products protect against diabetes? A press release explains that the consumption of dairy, especially yogurt and low-fat options, is associated with lower probabilities of developing type 2 diabetes, which is excellent news, as Mexico and the world are seeing an increase in the percentage of cases year after year.  On the other hand, the same research also indicates that “red meat and processed meats are related to higher probabilities of developing type 2 diabetes, but moderate amounts of fish and eggs can substitute for them,” according to the Italian scientists.  Academic Annalisa Giosuè, who is part of the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery at the University of Naples Federico II, and her team set out to thoroughly review a large number of analyses on how various animal products relate to diabetes.  During this process, they investigated products such as red meat, lean meat, processed meats, fish, dairy, low-fat dairy, milk, yogurt, and eggs to see if these could increase or reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.   In the end, the experts found evidence that “there was a considerable increase in the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes when consuming 100 g of meat per day, a 20% increase.” On the other hand, the risk increases by 22% when consuming 100 g of red meat daily, while for processed meats, the increase is 30% when eating 50 g per day. Finally, when it comes to chicken and turkey, the increase is 4% when consuming 50 g per day.  You can also read: Can diabetics eat fruit? Dr. Giosuè indicates that there are many factors behind these increases and states that “red meat and processed meats are important sources of compounds such as saturated fats, cholesterol, and heme iron, which are known to promote low-grade chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which in turn reduce the sensitivity of cells to insulin.” In other words, substances found in processed meats and other products end up promoting insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes.  The expert also mentions that “processed meats also contain nitrates, nitrites, and sodium, among other adverse effects, which can damage the cells responsible for producing insulin in the pancreas.”  Returning to dairy products, it seems that dairy can protect the body against type 2 diabetes or at least does not influence the development of the condition. For example, the consumption of 100 g of yogurt daily is associated with a 6% lower likelihood of developing diabetes, while consuming 200 g of milk daily is linked to a 10% reduction.  In this sense, Dr. Giosuè explains that “dairy products are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and other bioactive components that can have a positive impact on glucose metabolism, the processing of sugar in the body” and mentions that the proteins present in milk regulate the increase in blood sugar levels after eating. In the case of yogurt, its potential benefits are thought to be due to probiotics. In summary, although more research is still needed, it is believed that consuming yogurt and low-fat dairy could help prevent type 2 diabetes, while red meat and processed meats should be consumed in moderation. You can also read: Sweeteners and diabetes: What is your best option?