Researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada have found that daily consumption of a 250ml glass of cow’s milk could lower blood sugar all day long as well as reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The research conducted on 32 persons studied the effects of drinking 250ml of milk with breakfast, found that the protein in milk causes this effect by releasing hormones which slow down digestion, and also makes people less hungry later on.
According to the lead author, Professor Douglas Goff from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, drinking milk could keep diabetes and obesity at bay.
He said: ‘This study confirms the importance of milk at breakfast time to aid in the slower digestion of carbohydrate and to help maintain lower blood sugar levels.
The findings published in the Journal of Dairy Science, and reported on Medical News Today, affirmed nutritionists advocacy on healthy breakfast, which encouraged people to add a glass of milk to their oat meal or cereals.
The Canadian researchers said the discovery is important because type 2 diabetes and obesity are ‘leading concerns’ in human health.
Discussing their findings on the research participants, the scientists noted that participants did not eat beforehand and were given either high-protein milk, milk with a normal level of protein, or water made to seem like milk.
It was on record that they had this alongside oaty cereals and their blood glucose levels were then measured throughout the day.
Surprisingly, the study found milk reduced blood sugar after eating – more so than drinking water – and the more protein in the milk the more it reduced the sugar level.
This could help to combat type 2 diabetes because the condition is caused and worsened by uncontrollable levels of sugar in the blood.
The findings further revealed that the protein in milk makes people feel full, reducing their appetite, while milk contains two types of protein – whey and casein – and scientists changed the ratios in different tests to examine the effects of the different types.
They however found that digestion of whey protein makes people feel fuller more quickly, whereas casein protein provides a longer lasting effect.