Drink Milk? It’s One Relationship That Should Grow Weaker Over Time

Understanding what humans are meant to eat—and what foods are truly best for our bodies—has long been a challenge, with conflicting opinions and ongoing debate about the science and motivations behind dietary guidelines. Adding to the complexity is our individual uniqueness, which makes universal recommendations even more difficult. Milk has remained a topic of debate for decades. As we age, our caloric needs decrease, and if milk remains part of the diet, its caloric content should be adjusted accordingly. Because satiety is largely triggered by stomach distention, we can easily overconsume calories through liquids like milk. Drinking higher-calorie milk not only increases total caloric intake but also raises the risk for metabolic conditions such as fatty liver disease, which can lead to cirrhosis, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Recent research using NHANES data found that frequent consumption of non-skimmed milk is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) (Wu et al., 2025).

Wu, F., Zheng, F., Li, X. et al. Association between non-skimmed milk consumption and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: insights from NHANES data. BMC Gastroenterol 25, 270 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-03834-x