The consumption of three servings of dairy products every day can lower blood pressure, the risk of heart disease and the risk of obesity, according to a US scientists.
Dr David McCarron, whose research has been published in journals including Science also contends that full fat dairy products are more effective in reducing these ailments than low fat ones.
Speaking at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin yesterday, he said one study had shown that those who consumed three or more dairy products a day had a 60 per cent lower risk of developing high blood pressure. His talk was organised by the National Dairy Council.
Furthermore, he said having a high fruit and vegetable diet in addition to consuming dairy products was likely to double the blood pressure lowering effect.
The visiting professor at the University of California at Davis said the blood pressure reductions achieved when the dairy products were taken with a high fruit and vegetable diet were "equivalent to single drug therapy for high blood pressure".
He said consumption of dairy products and fruit and vegetables was now the US government's number one recommendation for lowering blood pressure. It was more effective even than lowering salt intake.
He predicted the US could save €26 billion in one year in healthcare spending if the population had an adequate dairy food intake. He estimated the savings to be made in the Republic would be of the order of €500 million a year.
Dr McCarron said a study he conducted as far back as 1984 showed the more "doses" of calcium one had, the lower their blood pressure.
Calcium pills were only half as effective as taking dairy products which are high in calcium, he said. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke which were responsible for over 11,000 deaths in Ireland last year.