What the study found
The study found that associations between dairy intake and metabolic syndrome, a cluster of cardiovascular disease risk factors, differed by sex and by dairy type. In men, fermented dairy was linked to lower odds of metabolic syndrome, while in women cheese showed an inverse association and total and nonfermented dairy were linked to higher odds at the highest intake levels.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors state that diet plays a key role in preventing metabolic syndrome, and they suggest fermented dairy products may influence risk. They conclude that the sex-specific and dairy-subtype-specific patterns may be relevant when considering associations between dairy intake and metabolic syndrome.
What the researchers tested
This cross-sectional study included 5,096 adults, 44% of them men, from the Finnish National FinHealth 2017 study. Diet was measured with a validated food frequency questionnaire, and metabolic syndrome was defined using the 2009 Joint Interim Statement criteria. The researchers used logistic regression and analysis of covariance, adjusting for confounders, and also examined dose-response patterns.
What worked and what didn't
Among men, the highest quintile of fermented dairy consumption, excluding cheese, was associated with lower odds of metabolic syndrome (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.98; P-trend = 0.018). In women, the highest quintile of cheese consumption was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.00; P-trend = 0.046), with evidence of nonlinearity. Nonfermented and total dairy were not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in men, but in women the highest intake was associated with higher odds; fermented dairy was associated with lower triglycerides, and nonfermented dairy was associated with adverse HDL cholesterol patterns in both sexes.
What to keep in mind
This was a cross-sectional analysis, so it shows associations rather than causation. The abstract notes that several associations were null, and the available summary does not describe additional limitations beyond the study design.
Key points
- The study examined 5,096 Finnish adults, including 44% men.
- Metabolic syndrome prevalence was 42.5% in men and 34.1% in women.
- Fermented dairy was associated with lower odds of metabolic syndrome in men.
- Cheese was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome in women.
- Total and nonfermented dairy were linked to higher odds of metabolic syndrome in women at the highest intake levels.
- Fermented dairy was associated with lower triglycerides, and nonfermented dairy with adverse HDL cholesterol profiles.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Dairy associations with metabolic syndrome differed by sex
- Authors:
- Miika M. Wynne-Ellis, Tuula Tuure, Satu Männistö, Niina E. Kaartinen, Mirkka Maukonen
- Institutions:
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Valio (Finland)
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-02
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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