# University of Toronto trial: 12 weeks of full-fat dairy brought no adverse cholesterol change in 74 adults - Published: 2026-11-08 21:06 UTC - Section: Life & Health › Agritech & food - Tags: full-fat dairy, low-fat dairy guidelines, dairy and cholesterol, dairy matrix hypothesis, Harvey Anderson, Journal of Nutrition, saturated fat, 12-week trial - URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-63313348127012a46289d04b_university_of_toronto/ **In a randomized 12-week study of 74 adults with overweight or obesity, three daily servings of full-fat dairy brought no harmful changes in weight or cholesterol. The trial was small and short.** ![University of Toronto trial: 12 weeks of full-fat dairy brought no adverse cholesterol change in 74 adults](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/6c779f3ab7b14078.webp) *sciencedaily.com* Researchers at the University of Toronto led by professor Harvey Anderson found that adults who ate three servings of full-fat dairy a day for 12 weeks showed no harmful changes in body weight, body composition, energy metabolism or blood cholesterol compared with participants on a low-dairy diet, according to sciencedaily.com. The results were published in The Journal of Nutrition. [1] Participants who ate more dairy also had improvements in blood pressure and took in more calcium, protein and vitamin D. The authors note that the health effects of dairy may be more complicated than its saturated fat content alone would suggest. [1] ## Trial design and results The study enrolled 74 adults with overweight or obesity. They were randomly assigned to one of three diets: a calorie-restricted diet with little dairy; three daily servings of dairy with an energy-neutral diet, where calorie intake was meant to match energy expenditure; or three daily servings of dairy without specific calorie restrictions. [1] All participants received guidance based on Canada's food guide, and the researchers supplied the full-fat dairy products. After 12 weeks the team compared body weight, body composition and cholesterol, among other measures of metabolic health. The dairy groups did not differ meaningfully from the low-dairy group in weight gain, body composition or blood cholesterol. [1] "Those that had three servings of dairy didn't have adverse levels of blood cholesterol or lipids or evidence of insulin resistance," Anderson said. [1] The study was relatively small and lasted three months. Longer and larger studies are needed to determine whether the findings translate into lasting benefits or changes in cardiovascular risk. The study did not directly establish whether long-term consumption prevents or increases diabetes, heart disease or other chronic conditions. [1] ## Dairy matrix hypothesis Nutrition guidelines in Canada and many other countries have recommended low-fat or fat-free dairy because saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol. One possible explanation for the new result is the dairy matrix hypothesis, which holds that the physical structure of a food influences how the body processes its nutrients. [1] Anderson noted that dairy contains two proteins, casein and whey, bound together with fat and with nutrients mixed in. According to him, this arrangement can help regulate how quickly nutrients are released during digestion. [1] The researchers believe the findings may be relevant for older adults, who often need enough protein and other nutrients while consuming fewer calories. [1] ## Sources 1. [sciencedaily.com](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/11/261105081000.htm) 2. [inc.com](https://www.inc.com/lucia-auerbach/health-experts-recommended-low-fat-dairy-new-study-challenges-the-reason/91432458) --- Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-63313348127012a46289d04b_university_of_toronto/