A new paper has revealed a connection between dairy consumption and type 1 diabetes.
Seven researchers have analyzed over 70 studies, producing a paper which has been accepted by the Journal of Nutrition & Diabetes.
The paper explores individuals with genetic risk factors. The researchers state that they have evidence that the protein A1 beta-casein, which is found in cow’s milk “is a primary causal trigger of type 1 diabetes”.
There was a positive correlation between the consumption of the protein (found in dairy) and the incidence of type 1 diabetes.
The link between A1 beta-casein, cow’s milk, and diabetes was previously confirmed by a study in 2003. The paper notes the possibility that “intensive dairy cattle breeding” may be the cause of milk which has “adverse effects in humans”.
Diabetes affects over 30 million adults in America. 1 in 16 people in the UK are living with the disease. In New Zealand, where the paper was partly researched, 5.4% of the population are reported to have diabetes.
Publication NZ Farmer highlight one notable example, found in Shanghai. Cases of diabetes increased over 14% between 1997 and 2011.
“These increases are mirrored by China’s increased per capita dairy consumption from 6 kilograms in 1992 to 18kg in 2006, and with further substantial increases thereafter.
There are no other apparent explanations for this rapid rise in type 1 diabetes in China”.
The same publication share that the dairy herds could be bred to produce milk free of the diabetes-linking protein, “but it would take at least 10 years”.
Thankfully, recent studies show that younger generations are consuming 550% more plant-based milk. Some alternatives to cow’s milk include almond, oat, rice and soy milk, to name a few.
The vegan milk market is estimated to hit $28 billion within the next 4 years. A vegan diet has been suggested as a solution for many health problems, including the reversal of type 2 diabetes.
