A new study suggests that drinking just one glass of milk a day could reduce the risk of stroke by up to 10 per cent. Researchers in Japan found that consuming 180g of milk daily – roughly an average-sized glass – was linked to a lower likelihood of stroke in adults aged 30 to 79.
The study, published in the journal Nutrients, used a simulation model based on Japanese population data. It estimated that if average milk consumption rose to that level, overall stroke risk would fall by around seven per cent over a decade, with reductions of up to 10.6 per cent in some groups. The researchers calculated that increasing milk intake could prevent an estimated 123,618 strokes and 18,721 deaths in Japan over ten years.
The benefits are thought to stem from milk's nutrient profile, including calcium, potassium and magnesium, which help regulate blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and improving circulation. The authors noted that milk is a key dietary source of calcium in Japan, which is inversely associated with hypertension and stroke.
However, average milk consumption in Japan remains low at around 61.8g per day. The findings come as milk consumption in the UK has also declined, from about five pints per week in 1974 to roughly two pints today, with plant-based alternatives replacing around one in ten glasses. Experts caution that cutting back on dairy could mean missing out on essential nutrients like calcium, protein, vitamin B12 and iodine.
