Udder Confusion: Under Pressure Over Dairy?

We're back, talking about a food group that often takes a pounding when it comes to 'dieting'. Every man, his dog and his wife who lost 100lbs declare ditching the dairy in your diet is how to dispose of displeasing body fat deposits. Pie Hole devotees will recall such articles where we've discussed how nutritionally awesome dairy is: whether it's getting kids to eat dairy or if low fat or full fat dairy is better. Dare to join us as we endeavour to delicately dispel the link between devilishly delicious dairy and disease development.

The force exerted on your arteries by blood flowing through them is called blood pressure (BP). When your heart beats, the pressure is highest (systolic - the first number) and between beats when your heart is at rest, pressure is lowest (diastolic - the second number). The numbers 119/79 or below represent optimal BP.

High BP generally has no symptoms, but it is most definitely associated with increased risk of diseases like cardiovascular (heart) and renal (kidney).

Rates of high BP in children are on the rise. Research shows those with higher BP in childhood tend to have higher BP in adulthood. The pressure is on to prevent pumped-up children.

There are many elements that contribute to high BP, but let's focus on some positive new research demonstrating how dairy improves BP in children.

Previous research found what many of us may assume is obvious: kid's whose diets were high in fruit, vegetables and dairy had lower BP in adolescence (1, 2). But what about dairy on its own?

New research looking at dairy intake in kids aged 8-10 found:

• Kids who ate 2 or more serves of dairy/day were less likely to be overweight, compared to those who ate <2 serves of dairy each day
• Kids eating 2 or more serves of dairy/day consumed more saturated fat than the low dairy consumers
• Likewise, 2 or more serves of dairy/day provided the highest overall calcium intake (including calcium from food sources other than dairy)
• An inverse relationship between dairy consumption and blood pressure exists

What a serve of dairy looks like (Adapted from the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating 2013)

Take home messages?

• Eating habits are established in early childhood
• Get your kid's pint-sized pie hole "nomm-ing" away on a variety of fruit, vegetables and dairy

• Parents: Lead by example. "Do as I do" rather than "do as I say"
• Want your kids to eat it? Sit down and enjoy a fruit and yoghurt snack together

• Keep dairy in your diet
• I know it's not a super sexy, highly 'credible', totally untrained health professional who lost 100lbs spruiking the benefits of dairy... But research shows dairy does have many health benefits. Believe in the research of thousands, not the unfounded words of one or two. Now that's sexy.