A splash of semi-skimmed milk every day in a cuppa could reduce the risk of depression and anxiety, research suggests.
A large UK study found that those who regularly drink the reduced-fat milk are nearly a third less likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and 16 per cent less likely to be depressed, when compared with people who drink no milk at all.
The protective effects of semi-skimmed milk are also greater than those of full-fat milk or skimmed milk.
But it’s bad news for vegans – those who drink alternatives to dairy, such as soya or oat milk, are actually more likely to develop anxiety or depression, the study found.
The researchers, from the Southern Medical University in China, said the results suggested there is something about the balance of fats in semi-skimmed milk that has a beneficial effect on the brain and boosts levels of ‘feel-good’ hormones serotonin and dopamine.
A large UK study found that those who regularly drink the reduced-fat milk are nearly a third less likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and 16 per cent less likely to be depressed, when compared with people who drink no milk at all.
The protective effects of semi-skimmed milk are also greater than those of full-fat milk or skimmed milk.
But it’s bad news for vegans – those who drink alternatives to dairy, such as soya or oat milk, are actually more likely to develop anxiety or depression, the study found.
A large UK study found that those who regularly drink the reduced-fat milk are nearly a third less likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and 16 per cent less likely to be depressed (Stock image)
The researchers, from the Southern Medical University in China , said the results suggested there is something about the balance of fats in semi-skimmed milk that has a beneficial effect on the brain (Stock image)
Writing in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, the researchers said: ‘The fatty acid profile of semi-skimmed milk might provide greater cerebral protection compared to full-cream milk and skimmed milk, thereby potentially reducing the risk of both depression and anxiety.’
They added that the findings presented ‘new prospects for dietary interventions’.
The researchers looked at data for 357,568 people aged between 36 and 73 who were monitored over more than 13 years. During that time, 13,065 were diagnosed with depression, and 13,339 with anxiety.
Those who typically drank semi-skimmed milk – the top-selling milk in the UK – were 16 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with depression compared with those who drank no milk. And drinking semi-skimmed milk was associated with a 29 per cent lower risk of anxiety.
In comparison, full-cream or whole milk was linked to a lower risk of anxiety, but not depression.
Those who said they drank non-dairy milk were more likely to be diagnosed with either anxiety or depression compared with those who drank any form of dairy milk and those who consumed none at all.
The authors said: ‘To robustly establish these associations, further research is needed to validate
these results and explore the impact of amount of milk consumed on mental health.’
