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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Western Human Nutrition Research Center » Immunity and Disease Prevention Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #381715
Research Project: Impact of Diet on Intestinal Microbiota, Gut Health and Immune Function

Location: Immunity and Disease Prevention Research

Title: Exploring the links between diet and inflammation: dairy foods as a case study

Author
item HESS, JULIE - National Dairy Council
item Stephensen, Charles
item KRATZ, MARIO - University Of California, Davis
item BOLLING, BRADLEY - University Of Wisconsin

Submitted to: Advances in Nutrition
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/2/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Research on the links between modifiable lifestyle factors, such as diet, and the systemic chronic inflammation that occurs with many non-communicable diseases is an important focus for public health. While much work remains to be done, the emerging body of evidence discussed in this review paper suggests that consumption of dairy foods (milk, cheese, and yogurt), does not increase markers of inflammation. This review provides the most current overview of evidence on this topic.

Technical Abstract: Systemic chronic inflammation may be a contributing factor to many noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. With the rapid rise of these conditions, identifying the causes of and treatment for chronic inflammation is an important research priority, especially with regards to modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet. An emerging body of evidence indicates that consuming certain foods, including dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt, may be linked with a decreased risk for inflammation. To discuss both broader research on diet and inflammation as well as research on links between individual foods and inflammation, the National Dairy Council sponsored a Satellite Session entitled “Exploring the Links between Diet and Inflammation: Dairy Foods as a Case Study” at the American Society for Nutrition 2020 LIVE ONLINE Conference. This article, a review based on the topics discussed during that session, explores the links between diet and inflammation, focusing most closely on the relationships between intake of dairy fat and dairy foods like milk, cheese and yogurt, and biomarkers of inflammation from clinical trials. While there is currently insufficient evidence to prove an “anti-inflammatory” effect of dairy foods, the substantial body of clinical research discussed in this review indicates that dairy foods do not increase concentrations of biomarkers of chronic systemic inflammation.