Pint of milk lowers diabetes risk

A pint of milk a day protects fat children against developing diabetes, according to new research.

Cow’s milk contains nutrients that lower insulin, the hormone that controls glucose, between meals, say scientists.

This reduces the risk of ‘metabolic syndrome’ - a cluster of disorders including high blood pressure, high blood sugar and fats, excess belly fat and low ‘good’ cholesterol.

Having any three can lead to diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The US team found overweight and obese youngsters who had at least two halfpint servings of cow’s milk were less prone to type 2 diabetes - the form linked to being overweight.

Children who drank less than half-a-pint a day had significantly higher levels of ‘fasting’ insulin - the level between meals - than those who drank at least a pint.

Dr Michael Yafi, of the University of Texas Health Science Centre, said: “Our findings indicate obese children who consume at least the daily recommended amount of milk may have more favourable sugar handling and this could help guard against metabolic syndrome.

“Worryingly, only one in ten young people in our study were consuming the recommended amount of milk.”

Four-in-ten British youngsters aged five to 19 are obese or overweight.