Is it true that Low Fat Milk is Healthier for Diabetics

Diabetes can increase a person's risk of fractures and osteoporosis. This statement is published in the Diabetes Forecast magazine under the auspices of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). For this reason, calcium-rich foods like milk are needed by people with diabetes to keep bones strong and protect them from osteoporosis.

So, what kind of milk is good for people with diabetes? Is it true low fat milk healthier for diabetics compared to other types of milk for diabetes?

Why do diabetics need to drink milk?

Before discussing more about the type of milk for diabetes, you need to know why people with diabetes need to drink milk.

According to National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseasespeople who have type 1 diabetes generally have low bone density. This condition is associated with the body's inability to produce insulin, even though insulin can increase bone growth and strength.

In addition, people with type 1 diabetes also have a high risk of fractures. This is because diabetics generally have vision problems and nerve damage which increases the risk of falls and fractures. In addition, an unhealthy lifestyle in people with type 2 diabetes can also interfere with bone health.

According to research conducted on people who are trying to slim down, besides being rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin D, the body's milk needs is also proven to be able to lose weight. This study was conducted on 322 people consisting of healthy people, people with type 2 diabetes, and also people who have heart disease.

As a result, people who consume the most milk, which is about 355 ml or about 1.5 cups, lose weight as much as 2.27 kg compared to people who only drink half a glass every day. So, in addition to maintaining healthy and strong bones, milk for diabetes can also reduce excess weight which usually attacks people with type 2 diabetes.

Are low-fat milk healthier for people with diabetes?

Milk is a good source of calcium for people with diabetes. In fact, according to American Diabetes Association and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cow milk can be consumed by diabetics. However, because diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease, then you need to choose the right type of milk. Milk that is high in carbohydrates, sugar, and fat is a type of milk that needs to be avoided.

Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, speakers for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and book authors The African American Guide to Living Well with Diabetes, stated that low or nonfat milk is a very good drink for people with diabetes.

For this reason, the American Diabetes Association recommends consuming 2 to 3 glasses of low-fat milk every day. Low-fat milk is a good source of calcium and protein for the health of the body of people with diabetes.

In addition to low-fat milk, you can also drink soy milk and almond milk as an alternative. However, do not just choose milk. You still need to be careful to see the packaging label whether the milk you are going to buy contains extra sugar or not. Try to choose low-fat milk without added sugar so that blood glucose levels do not increase and worsen your health condition.