Fermented dairy linked to lower MetS odds in men

What the study found: Associations between dairy consumption and metabolic syndrome varied by sex and by dairy subtype. Fermented dairy was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome in men, and cheese was inversely associated in women.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors state that the findings suggest dairy subtype and sex may be relevant when considering links between dairy intake and metabolic syndrome.
What the researchers tested: The study was a cross-sectional analysis of associations between dairy consumption and metabolic syndrome in Finnish men and women. It examined total dairy, fermented dairy, nonfermented dairy, and cheese.
What worked and what didn't: Several associations were null. In women, higher odds of metabolic syndrome were observed mainly at the highest consumption of total dairy and nonfermented dairy. In men, fermented dairy showed an inverse association, and in women, cheese showed an inverse association.
What to keep in mind: The abstract does not provide additional limitations beyond the cross-sectional design, and it does not allow conclusions about cause and effect.

Key points

• Associations between dairy intake and metabolic syndrome differed by sex and dairy subtype.
• Fermented dairy was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome in men.
• Cheese was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome in women.
• Several associations were null.
• In women, the highest intake of total and nonfermented dairy was linked to higher odds of metabolic syndrome.