Optimal dairy intake is predicated on total, cardiovascular, and stroke mortalities in a Taiwanese cohort

Objective: Dairy foods help achieve essential nutrient adequacy. This role may be conflicted where so-called chronic diseases prevail. We have examined associations between dairy intake and mortality where dairy foods have not been traditional. Methods: A representative Taiwanese cohort of 3810 subjects, aged 19-64 years, derived from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT, 1993-1996) was linked to death registration (1993-2008). Participants were categorized by 4 dairy weekly intake frequencies from 0 to >7 times. Mortality hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox proportional-hazards models. Results: Nonconsumers of dairy products included 30.7 of the men and 22.1 of the women. Adverse sociodemographic and personal behaviors were generally significantly associated with lower dairy consumption. After adjustment for covariates, together with body mass index (BMI) and supplement use, those with 3-7 times/week intakes had an HR (95 CI) for all-cause mortality of 0.61 (0.39-0.96) with a significant dose-response trend (p = 0.043). Similarly, the HR for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality with dairy weekly intake frequency >7 was 0.14 (0.02-0.97) with a significant linear trend (p = 0.007). For stroke, the corresponding HR (95 CI) was 0.03 (0.00-0.28) with a linear trend. By age and with adjustment for dietary quality, food, and calcium or vitamin D intake, significance and dose-response relationships remained. Dairy intake and cancer mortality were not associated. Conclusion: In a Chinese food culture, a dairy foods intake in adults up to 7 times a week does not increase mortality and may have favorable effects on stroke.