Can drinking skimmed milk lead to obesity?

A lot of people drink skimmed milk to lose weight. But according to a new research, it may just be doing the opposite.

By: Agencies | | Updated: October 19, 2013 1:54 pm

Dieters have been opting for skimmed milk in order to lose those extra pounds. However, a new research has discovered that drinking skimmed milk might in fact be making us bigger, not smaller.

It is generally thought that by drinking skimmed milk you can get whole milk’s benefits — Vitamin D, calcium and protein amongst others — without the fat and calories. By reducing the fat, the skimmed milk is certainly lower in calories, but the authors of the study — David Ludwig, of Boston’s Children Hospital, and Dr Walter Willett, of the Harvard School of Public Health — believe lower calorie beverages do not necessarily mean lower calorie intake. They say there is very little data to back up the idea that skimmed milk promotes weight loss or management and that because reduced fat foods might not be as filling, they could lead consumers to compensate by eating and drinking more. A previous study actually found that those who drank low-fat milk had a higher chance of being overweight later on in life.

‘Our original hypothesis was that children who drank high-fat milk, either whole milk or two per cent, would be heavier because they were consuming more saturated fat calories,’ said author of the study Dr Mark Daniel DeBoer, an associate professor of paediatric endocrinology at the University of Virgina School of Medicine.

‘We were really surprised when we looked at the data and it was very clear that within every ethnicity and every socio-economic strata, that it was actually the opposite, that children who drank skim milk and one-percent were heavier than those who drank two per cent and whole.’

It should be noted that even full-fat milk only contains three to four per cent fat anyway. In addition to this, companies trying to sell reduced-fat milk products may also increase sugar levels to make them taste better.

One glass of low-fat chocolate milk contains 158 calories — 68 of them coming from solid fats and added sugars — while a glass of unflavoured, semi-skimmed milk has 122 calories, with 37 of them coming from solid fats and sugars.

‘Somehow this low-fat milk has become so entrenched in the nutritional psyche, it persists despite the absence of evidence,’ said Mr Ludwig.

Finally, it should not be forgotten that research has shown that skimmed milk also provides less nutrients than whole. Full-fat dairy is a vital source of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K as well as calcium and phosphorus, the minerals that work with vitamin D for build strong bones. (Read: Make your breakfast interesting with these 7 healthy ideas for every day of the week!)

But the term ‘fat-soluble’ means that these vitamins need to be delivered in or with fat for the nutrients to be available to the body. Taking the fat out makes it difficult or even impossible to absorb them.

Why do we need milk?

Milk is the only source of calcium readily absorbed and also one of the rare sources of vitamin D hence is essential for strong bones. A glass of milk provides about 30 % DV (daily value) of calcium and 25% DV of vitamin D. Here are some more reasons to consume it:

Healthy bones and teeth: Calcium, phosphorous and protein are essential in building healthy bones and teeth. Milk and its products help in protecting against osteoporosis.

Blood pressure: People with high BP need to cut down their salt intake. Drinking 3 portions of milk and five portions of fruits and veggies on a daily basis will help in lowering high blood pressure. (Read: Tasty recipes to keep BP under control)

Heart disease: Studies have shown that consuming milk can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and calcium lowers the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood which is known to increase the risk of heart disease.(Read: Understanding heart disease)

Diabetes: Cutting down on refined sugars and carbs and drinking low-fat milk and its products can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. (Read: Healthy recipe for diabetics)

Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is caused when there is a reduced intake of calcium and giving up milk can result in the same. Women and elderly people are more prone hence they should have milk to prevent bone loss. (Read more about milk’s benefits here)

With inputs from DNA

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Published: October 17, 2013 1:05 pm | Updated:October 19, 2013 1:54 pm

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