Based on nine studies with 57,256 individuals and 15,367 cases of hypertension, researchers found that as total dairy, low-fat dairy and milk (just over two cups a day) consumption increased, the risk for high blood pressure decreased.
"These meta-analyses indicate that there is a link between increasing the number of glasses of milk a day and a lower incidence of hypertension," said Dr Sabita S Soedamah-Muthu from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Milk intake was not statistically significantly associated with risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and total mortality, researchers said.
New research about milk fat and associated fat-soluble nutrients in infant formula to benefit brain development and to enhance elderly nutrition suggest an untapped nutritional value of dairy food components.