Improving cardiovascular and bone health in older adults

Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are two of the most common, costly and disabling chronic conditions affecting adults in the United States. Diet strongly influences both, yet there is long-standing public confusion and professional debate about whether dairy foods are beneficial or harmful for heart and bone health. Conflicting headlines about saturated fat, milk and other dairy products have made it difficult for everyone from clinicians to consumers to provide or follow clear, evidence-based guidance. 

University of Idaho researchers conducted a comprehensive review and updated meta-analyses examining dairy intake and cardiovascular and bone health outcomes in adults. This work synthesized data from over one million participants across dozens of studies, evaluating total dairy, milk, yogurt, cheese and fat-specific dairy products in relation to cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, bone mineral density, fractures and osteoporosis risk.  

The analyses showed that higher intakes of total dairy, milk and yogurt were associated with modest reductions in overall cardiovascular disease risk. Total dairy and especially low-fat dairy were associated with a lower risk of hypertension and total dairy and milk were associated with reduced stroke risk. Additionally, dairy intake, particularly milk, was consistently linked to higher bone mineral density, while yogurt and cheese showed more consistent protective associations against fractures. These results provide a clearer, evidence-based picture of how different types of dairy foods relate to heart and bone health in adult populations. The findings directly inform nutrition professionals, Extension professionals, clinicians and policymakers working to improve health and well-being. 

The findings improve confidence in evidence-based recommendations, support chronic disease prevention efforts and contribute to clearer, more consistent public health messaging around dairy consumption and long-term health.

Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station