1. Weight management allies
According to over 30 studies, milk products could play a role in losing and maintaining weight. In fact, these studies reveal that milk products may help you lose weight as part of a low-calorie diet, or help prevent weight gain.
What the research reveals
Current research does not spell out the exact role milk products play in weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. However, it seems that calcium, particularly the calcium in milk products, encourages the body to use fat as a source of energy, reducing the storage of body fat. The calcium in milk products appears to be much more effective than the calcium in supplements, which suggests that other components in milk products, such as protein, could also play a role.
Fact or fiction?
In fact, individuals who consume few milk products are at greater risk of being overweight. Clinical studies indicate that people lose more body fat when on a diet that includes sufficient quantities of milk products. It would also seem that all of this would be most effective in individuals who do not consume a lot of milk products.
It is important, however, to stay realistic: obesity is a multifactoral problem. Although milk products are not a magic solution, it would seem that consuming adequate quantities could provide an added benefit in weight management.
Want to consume more milk products? See our tips for increasing your intake of milk products.
