Low-fat dairy products have a beneficial effect on HOMA-IR, waist circumference and body weight

Objectives:
The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has increased in the US over the last several years. The consumption of low-fat dairy foods has been linked with decreasing the risk of diabetes mellitus but studies have yet to show a clear correlation. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Is there a causal relationship between consumption of low-fat dairy foods and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes?

Study design:
This review article included 30 RCTs.
The total sample size was 2,900 with >50% female participants, but the distribution varied greatly across different studies.
The mean age of subjects ranged from 18-63 years.
The funnel plots for all 3 outcomes (HOMA-IR, waist circumference and body weight) did not suggest significant publication bias.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found (794 individuals) comparing high intake to the control group, consumption of low-fat dairy foods significantly reduced the HOMA-IR values [MD = -1.21, 95% CI = -1.74 to -0.67, p 0.00001, I2 = 92%].

The investigators found (1,348 individuals) comparing high intake to the control group, consumption of low-fat dairy foods significantly reduced waist circumference [MD = -1.09 cm, 95% CI = -1.68 to -0.58, p 0.00001, I2 = 94%].

The investigators found for body weight (2,362 individuals), the low-fat dairy foods intervention group weighed 0.42 kg less than the control group [p 0.00001, I2 = 92%].

The investigators found limiting to studies that were assessed to have low risk of bias did not significantly change the point estimates or heterogeneity statistics (Q or I2) for all 3 outcomes.
Similarly excluding studies with a physical activity component did not significantly alter point estimates or heterogeneity statistics for all 3 outcomes.

The investigators concluded low-fat dairy products have a beneficial effect on HOMA-IR, waist circumference and body weight. This could impact dietary recommendations to reduce type 2 diabetes risk.

Original title:
The Effects of Dairy Intake on Insulin Resistance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials by Sochol KM, Johns TS, […], Melamed ML.

Link:
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/9/2237/htm

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on diabetes and dairy products intake right here.