Consuming low-fat dairy products may help lower blood pressure and improve heart health, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study supports a growing body of research that shows how dairy foods are key elements of a heart-healthy diet.

In the study, participants who consumed three or more servings of dairy foods a day had significantly lower blood pressure than those who consumed less than half a serving a day. The study specifically found that consuming dairy is inversely related with systolic blood pressure, a key predictor of cardiovascular disease. People with high blood pressure are at a significant risk for stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and heart failure.

“This is very good news for the millions of Americans who are affected by high blood pressure,” said Greg Miller, Ph.D., MACN, senior vice president, nutrition and product innovation, Dairy Management Inc.^TM (DMI). “Studies like this help reinforce the value of including low-fat dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, in your daily diet to help lead a healthier lifestyle.”

The American Heart Association (AHA) study is the latest in a series of healthy lifestyle recommendations that include low-fat and fat-free dairy foods. In late June, the AHA released its 2006 Diet and Lifestyle recommendations, which reinforced the benefits of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) — a plan that includes low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, as well as fruits and vegetables. The DASH diet may help reduce high blood pressure as effectively as some medications.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans also recommend Americans consume three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk or dairy products to help meet their nutrition needs.