For decades, people have been told to select skim or low-fat milk over full-fat dairy to protect their hearts and control their weight. But a new study from the University of Toronto suggests full-fat dairy may not be as bad as conventional dietary advice has led many to believe.

Adults who ate three servings of full-fat dairy daily for 12 weeks had no harmful changes in body weight, cholesterol levels, or insulin resistance, researchers found. Some participants also saw improvements in their blood pressure and consumed more vital nutrients, including calcium, protein, and vitamin D.

The results, published in The Journal of Nutrition , add to a growing amount of research casting doubt on whether the fat content of dairy products alone dictates their effect on health.

Asian woman pouring milk from bottle into glass at home Photo by Getty Images

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