CONSUMPTION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN MONICA STUDY

The aim of this study was to assess the associations between dairy products and cardiovascular risk factors in a representative sample of the French population. A sample of 912 men aged 45-64 years was randomly selected from the general population in Northern (Lille), Eastern (Strasbourg) and South-Western (Toulouse) regions of France. Risk factors were evaluated in each participant who completed a three-consecutive-day food record. In statistical analysis, subjects were separated according to quintiles of daily dairy product consumption. From the lowest quintile to the highest quintile of dairy product consumption and after adjustment for center, age, energy intake, alcohol, sodium, magnesium, and antihypertensive and antidiabetic treatments, systolic blood pressure significantly decreased. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome decreased significantly from 32.6% to 25.0%, 21.8%, 18.3% and 19.9% (p=0.02 after adjustment for center, age, energy intake, alcohol, sodium, magnesium, and antihypertensive and antidiabetic treatments). In conclusion, high consumption of dairy products is associated with lower levels of blood pressure and a lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome.