Drink toned milk 'for a healthy heart'

New York (PTI): Downing as little as one glass of toned milk daily could keep the heart healthy by protecting it against a range of serious conditions, including stroke and heart disease, a new study has claimed.

A team of international researchers has found that adults who drink at least one serving of low-fat milk or milk products have 37 per cent lower odds of poor kidney function linked to heart disease than those who don't drink regularly.

According to the researchers, the study suggests that milk protein, vitamin D, magnesium and calcium may contribute to milk's potential heart health benefits.

In fact, they came to the conclusion after measuring the kidney function of more than 5,000 people, all adults aged between 45 and 84, the latest issue of the 'American Journal of Clinical Nutrition' reported.

The researchers tracked eating patterns and tested albumin-to-creatinine ratio -- a measure that when too low, can indicate poor kidney function and an extremely high risk for cardiovascular disease -- of the participants.

They found that people who reported consuming more low-fat milk and milk products had lower ACR, or healthier kidney function. In fact, low-fat milk and milk products was the only food group evaluated that on its own was linked to a significantly reduced risk for kidney dysfunction.

An overall healthy diet, including low-fat milk and milk products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables was also associated with a benefit -- 20 per cent lower ACR or even healthier kidney function, the study revealed.

So, drink milk to a healthy heart!