Benefits of full fat milk overlooked by asthma sufferers

People who drink a glass of full fat milk everyday may be less likely to suffer from asthma than those who drink a less fatty dairy alternative. These are the findings from a recent study in Australia that investigated how dairy products contribute to the high asthma prevalence among young adults in the country.

Researchers at Monash University carried out a study on the prevalence and risk factors, particularly dietary, associated with respiratory health in young Australian adults from July 1999 to June 2001.

The results from 1600 young adults, concerning 25 nutrients and 120 foods, showed that those who consumed full cream milk were 34 per cent less likely to have asthma. The asthma risk could also be reduced by 17-18 per cent by eating apples, pears and leafy green vegetables. According to Dr Rosalie Woods, study leader, asthma patients often alter their diet to reduce the level of dairy products but the new findings suggest that this may not be beneficial.

Contrary to current trends, the study also showed that adults who regularly consume soy milk and ricotta cheese are twice as likely to be asthmatics.

Food allergies are an increasing concern for food scientists and much research is taking place across the world to tackle the growing problem. Dr Woods and her team found that diet played a major role in the disease for only 2-5 per cent of asthmatics who also had food allergies.

Details of the work are soon to be presented at a Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand scientific meeting in Cairns. The research was funded by the Dairy Research and Development Corporation in Australia.