Two glasses of milk each day will help lose weight

Drinking milk every day gives weight watchers a healthy boost in the battle to shed the pounds.

Milk drinkers had an advantage for losing weight according to research Milk drinkers had an advantage for losing weight, according to research

In a two-year weight-loss study, milk drinkers had an advantage over those who skipped a pinta.

Researchers found that adults who drank the most milk – almost two glasses a day – and had the highest Vitamin D and calcium levels, lost an average of almost 12lb after two years.

That is almost double the weight loss of dieters who had l­ittle or no milk products.

And each additional three-quarter glass serving of milk led to some dieters losing as much as 10lb after just six months, according to the research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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More than 300 overweight or at-risk men and women aged 40-65 took part in the two-year study.

They followed either a low-fat, low-carbohydrate or a “Mediterranean” diet based on fish, fruit, vegetables, yogurt, olive oil and bread. But regardless of which diet participants were on, researchers found those with the highest dairy intake through drinking low-fat or fat-free milk lost the most weight.

They found that those averaging about 580mg per day six months into the study, the amount in nearly two glasses of milk, lost about 12lb after two years. This compares with about 7lb in weight loss for those with the lowest dairy calcium intake (averaging about 150mg, or about half a glass).

The researchers in Israel also found that Vitamin D levels – whether from milk or other sources – independently affected weight-loss success.

In line with previous research, milk and milk products were the top contributors to ­Vitamin D in the diets of the study participants. Despite the potential health benefits, many Britons are still not getting the recommended 400 units of Vitamin D each day – the amount contained in four glasses of fat-free or low-fat milk.

Experts warned that this deficiency may put their health at risk.

Well known for its role in keeping bones strong, Vitamin D is now being hailed for more health benefits.

Emerging scientific findings suggest it may also help protect against diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and certain cancers.

Vitamin D also supports a healthy immune system.

The report said that fat-free milk is packed with nine essential nutrients, including calcium and Vitamin D, and contains 80 calories per eight-ounce serving.

Research suggests eating well, staying active and drinking the recommended three glasses of low-fat or fat-free milk daily can help you maintain a healthy weight.

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