A new study from the University of Toronto in Canada looked at how eating full-fat dairy products such as milk, yoghurt, and cheese affects adults with overweight or obesity. For 12 weeks, 74 people followed different diets. Some ate less dairy, while others ate three servings of full-fat dairy each day. The scientists measured changes in weight, body fat, and blood pressure at the end of the study.

The main reason for the study is that people are usually told to pick low-fat dairy because full-fat dairy contains more saturated fat. This kind of fat can increase LDL cholesterol, which is known as 'bad' cholesterol, and possibly lead to heart disease. The researchers wanted to see if eating more full-fat dairy really affects these health risks in the short term.

The important result was that, after twelve weeks, there were no big differences between the groups in weight, body fat, or cholesterol. Some people who ate more dairy had better blood pressure and took in more calcium and vitamin D. The study does not say that full-fat dairy is healthier, but it suggests full-fat dairy may not be as harmful to health in the short term as many people think.