In 74 adults with overweight or obesity, three daily servings of full-fat dairy for 12 weeks did not worsen weight or cholesterol

What the research found

ScienceDaily published this account on 6 November 2026, from the University of Toronto. The Journal of Nutrition paper, DOI 10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101373, is by Gerald Harvey Anderson and colleagues. Seventy-four adults with overweight or obesity were randomized for 12 weeks to a calorie-restricted pattern with little dairy, an energy-neutral pattern with three daily servings of full-fat dairy, or an unrestricted pattern with the same three servings. The researchers supplied the dairy. The three-serving groups did not show meaningful differences in weight, body composition, or blood cholesterol compared with the little-dairy group. Blood pressure improved and intake of calcium, protein, and vitamin D was higher. The press account does not give the size of the blood-pressure change. The press account says the three-serving groups did not show adverse cholesterol, lipids, or an insulin problem. The study lasted three months and did not measure heart attacks, strokes, or new diabetes. Support came from Dairy Research Cluster 3 under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership AgriScience Program, and from Mitacs Accelerate. The account does not give ages or a sex split. Not medical advice.

Evidence level: Clinical trial. This is among the stronger kinds of evidence, but one study rarely settles a question.

Read the original at ScienceDaily