Dairy Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular and Bone Health Outcomes in Adults: An Umbrella Review and Updated Meta-Analyses

Sharifan, Payam and Roustaee, Roshanak and Shafiee, Mojtaba and Longworth, Zoe L and Keshavarz, Pardis and Davies, Ian G and Webb, Richard J and Mazidi, Mohsen and Vatanparast, Hassan (2025) Dairy Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular and Bone Health Outcomes in Adults: An Umbrella Review and Updated Meta-Analyses. Nutrients, 17 (17). ISSN 2072-6643

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: The relationship between dairy consumption and cardiovascular or bone health outcomes remains controversial, with inconsistent findings across existing meta-analyses. In this study, we aimed to systematically evaluate and synthesize the evidence from published meta-analyses on dairy consumption and cardiovascular and bone health outcomes in adults, and to conduct updated meta-analyses incorporating recently published prospective cohort studies. Methods: We performed an umbrella review following PRISMA guidelines, searching published and grey literature up to April 2024. Meta-analyses evaluating dairy intake and its impact on cardiovascular and bone health outcomes were included. Updated meta-analyses were conducted for cardiovascular outcomes, while bone health outcomes were synthesized qualitatively. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Random-effects models were applied, and heterogeneity, small-study effects, excess significance, and prediction intervals were evaluated. Results: We included 33 meta-analyses (26 on cardiovascular, 7 on bone health outcomes). Updated meta-analyses showed that total dairy (RR: 0.96), milk (RR: 0.97), and yogurt (RR: 0.92) were significantly associated with reduced CVD risk. Total dairy and low-fat dairy were inversely linked to hypertension (RRs: 0.89, 0.87), and milk and low-fat dairy were associated with reduced stroke risk. Small-study effects were absent for most associations. Credibility was rated as “weak” for most associations, with total dairy and stroke, and total dairy and hypertension showing "suggestive" evidence. For bone health, dairy—especially milk—was linked to higher bone mineral density (BMD). Evidence on osteoporosis risk was mixed, and while total dairy and milk showed inconsistent associations with fractures, cheese and yogurt showed more consistent protective effects. Limited evidence suggested milk may reduce bone resorption markers. Conclusions: This review suggests that dairy consumption, particularly milk and yogurt, is modestly associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, while dairy intake appears to benefit BMD and fracture prevention. However, further research is needed to confirm these associations.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information and Comments:	© 2025 by the authors. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Keywords:	dairy consumption; cardiovascular disease; bone health; meta-analysis; umbrella review
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences > School of Health and Sport Sciences
SWORD Depositor:	eprints api
Depositing User:	eprints api
Date Deposited:	01 Sep 2025 13:53
Last Modified:	01 Sep 2025 13:53
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/4743

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