High vs. low-fat dairy and milk differently affects the risk of all-cause, CVD, and cancer death: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Sina Naghshi, Omid Sadeghi, Bagher Larijani, Ahmad Esmaillzadeh
Abstract
Considerable controversy exists regarding the association between milk and dairy consumption and mortality risk. The present systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies was undertaken to examine the association of high vs. low-fat dairy and milk consumption with mortality. We searched PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus databases through February 2020 for prospective cohort studies that reported the association between milk and dairy consumption and mortality risk. High-fat milk consumption was significantly associated with a greater risk of all-cause (Pooled ES: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.09-1.20, I2=24.5%, p = 0.22), CVD (Pooled ES: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.02-1.16, I2=4.5%, p = 0.38) and cancer mortality (Pooled ES: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08-1.28, I2=30.1%, p = 0.19). However, total dairy consumption was associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality (Pooled ES: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88-0.98, I2=59.7%, p = 0.001). Dose-response analysis revealed a significant non-linear association of total dairy consumption with all-cause and CVD mortality. Moreover, high-fat milk consumption was significantly associated with risk of cancer mortality in linear and non-linear dose-response analysis. In conclusion, we found high-fat milk consumption was associated with a higher risk of all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. However, total dairy consumption was associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality.