Dairy overall
From the YapSpan Longevity Wiki · Updated 2026-10-01
Dairy is the food group made up of milk and the products made from it, including cheese, yogurt, cream and butter. Dairy foods supply protein and calcium, and their fat content ranges from skimmed milk to butter. Fermented dairy, such as yogurt and many cheeses, is made with bacteria.
An overview of systematic reviews (studies that gather and assess all earlier research on a question) concluded that dairy consumption is not associated with all-cause mortality (death from any cause) [1]. No single pooled all-cause mortality figure for total dairy was found. Large studies disagree by country, so dairy overall sits close to no difference.
- An overview of meta-analyses concluded that dairy product consumption is not associated with risk of all-cause mortality [1].
- The meta-analyses in that overview reported relative risks from 0.96 to 1.01 per 200 g of dairy a day [1].
- In the multinational PURE study, more than 2 servings of dairy a day was associated with 17% lower total mortality than none [2].
- In three US cohorts, the highest dairy intake, an average of 4.2 servings a day, was associated with 7% higher mortality [3].
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YapSpan estimates are for reflection and entertainment only. They are not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prediction of any individual outcome. Check with a doctor before making any medical decision.