Dietary yogurt is distinct from other dairy foods in its association with circulating lipid profile: Findings from the Million Veteran Program

Kerry L. Ivey, Xuan Mai T. Nguyen, Deirdre K. Tobias, Rebecca Song, Geraint B. Rogers, Yuk Lam Ho, Ruifeng Li, Peter WF Wilson, Kelly Cho, J. Michael Gaziano, Walter C. Willett, Luc Djoussé

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background & aims: Dyslipidemia is a major cardiovascular disease risk factor. Research has proposed mechanisms whereby yogurt may improve circulating lipid concentrations. However, at the population level, the association of yogurt, as distinct from other dairy foods, with these important risk factors is poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether the circulating lipid profile associated with yogurt is different to the circulating lipid profile that is associated with non-yogurt dairy products, specifically milk and cheese. Methods: The current study included the 192,564 US Veterans enrolled in the Million Veteran Program who reported frequency of yogurt consumption (assessed via food frequency questionnaire) and had lipid concentrations assessed. Trends were evaluated with linear regression. Mean age was 65 (SD = 11) years [20, 100 years]. Results: A one serve/day higher yogurt consumption was positively associated (coefficient ± SE) with the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) in individuals who were not (0.26 ± 0.12 mg/dL, P value = 0.025), and who were (0.25 ± 0.09, P value = 0.004), using antilipemic agents. Furthermore, higher yogurt consumption was inversely associated with the concentration of triglycerides, but only in individuals who were not using antilipemic agents (−1.46 ± 0.58, P value = 0.012). Conclusion: These apparent beneficial associations of yogurt with HDLC and triglycerides were independent of consumption of non-yogurt dairy foods and were not observed for consumption of either milk or cheese. In this prospective cohort study of U.S. Veterans, we found a beneficial relationship between higher frequency of yogurt consumption with circulating HDLC and triglyceride concentrations that was distinct from non-yogurt dairy foods.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)456-463
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Nutrition ESPEN
Volume43
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Cholesterol
  • Dairy
  • Food frequency questionnaire
  • Lipid
  • Triglyceride
  • Yogurt

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dietary yogurt is distinct from other dairy foods in its association with circulating lipid profile: Findings from the Million Veteran Program'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this