A recent study from Canada has shown that consuming three daily servings of full-fat dairy does not adversely affect body weight or blood health markers in adults classified as overweight or obese. Conducted over a period of 12 weeks, the trial explored how this dietary inclusion impacted nutrient intake and overall health. The findings were published in The Journal of Nutrition in March 2026.
Researchers aimed to determine whether full-fat dairy could be safely integrated into a healthy eating pattern, focusing on safety and dietary compatibility rather than establishing it as a therapeutic intervention. Participants included 74 healthy adults aged between 25 and 60 who were randomly assigned to one of three dietary groups. The results indicated that those consuming full-fat dairy maintained stable body weight and composition, while also benefiting from increased calcium and protein intake.
Study Design and Key Findings
The study was a parallel-group design conducted at two Canadian universities. Participants were divided into three groups: one following a low-dairy, energy-restricted diet with a daily deficit of 500 kilocalories; another consuming an energy-neutral diet with three servings of full-fat dairy; and a third group on an ad libitum diet, which also included three servings of full-fat dairy without caloric restriction. All groups received dietary counselling aligned with Canada’s Food Guide.
At the outset, participants had clinically normal cardiometabolic profiles. Over the 12 weeks, the energy-restricted group experienced modest decreases in body weight and body mass index (BMI). In contrast, those in the full-fat dairy groups showed no significant changes in weight, waist circumference, or body fat. Blood pressure readings indicated a decrease in the ad libitum dairy group, with no adverse effects on blood glucose or lipid levels observed during the intervention.
Implications for Public Health and Nutrition
These results are particularly significant given the rising prevalence of obesity and related cardiometabolic diseases in Canada, which pose substantial public health challenges. The study underscores the nutritional value of dairy foods, which are rich in protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients. Despite the declining consumption of full-fat dairy in Canada, largely due to concerns about saturated fats and evolving dietary guidelines, this research suggests that such dairy can form part of a healthy diet.
Notably, the study’s design encourages adherence to the updated guidelines of Canada’s Food Guide, which shifted in 2019 to promote plant-based foods over explicit dairy recommendations. The findings support the idea that full-fat dairy can coexist within a balanced dietary framework, addressing nutrient gaps without negative health outcomes.
The researchers acknowledge limitations, including a smaller sample size affected by disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and the study’s relatively brief duration. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of full-fat dairy consumption in diverse populations, particularly in individuals with existing metabolic conditions.
In conclusion, this study presents compelling evidence that incorporating three servings of full-fat dairy into the diets of metabolically healthy adults with overweight or obesity does not result in short-term adverse effects on body weight or cardiometabolic health. Instead, it enhances nutrient intake, particularly calcium and protein, suggesting a shift in how such foods are perceived within public health discussions. The findings pave the way for future explorations into the role of full-fat dairy in dietary patterns globally.
