Big Milk Crying White Tears

Researchers have found that a high intake of milk may be associated with higher mortality and fracture risks in women and higher mortality risk in men, according to a new study in BMJ.

During a median of 22 years of follow-up, 15,541 women died and 17,252 women had a fracture. During a median of 13 years of follow-up, 10,112 men died and 5379 men had a fracture.

The researchers found that women who drank three or more glasses of milk a day had almost twice the risk for death compared with women who drank less than one glass a day. Women who drank more milk also had a higher risk for any type of fracture and for hip fracture specifically.

Although the researchers found that men who drank 3 or more glasses of milk had a higher risk for death compared with those who drank less than one glass, men did not have the excess risk for fracture seen in women.

The researchers found an association between high milk intake and oxidative stress and inflammation.

No similar association was found in fermented milk products.