Milk consumption does not affect body mass index but may have an unfavorable effect on serum total cholesterol in Japanese adults

Milk consumption is considered to have favorable effects on obesity, blood pressure, and cholesterol. However, studies conducted on Japanese populations are sparse, and a positive association between milk intake and increased level of serum total cholesterol (TC) was reported. We measured body mass index, % of body fat (% BF), blood pressure, and blood constituents of 566 men and 462 women during a medical checkup. Milk consumption, including whole milk, low-fat milk, and yogurt, and nutrient intakes were evaluated by using a brief diet history questionnaire. All participants were classified according to the frequency of milk consumption and by sex. Associations between milk consumption and other variables were examined by using multiple linear regression analysis. No association was observed between milk intake and body weight, % BF, blood pressure, and blood constituents such as glucose, HbA1c, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or triacylglycerols. On the other hand, we observed a significant association with TC in male participants (β = 0.113, P = .007). Milk consumption seems to have little effect on body mass index, % BF, blood pressure, and blood constituents apart from TC in Japanese. The positive association between milk consumption and TC suggests that low-fat milk and/or yogurt are preferable for individuals who require cholesterol control.