FDA Approves Qualified Health Claim Linking Yogurt Consumption to Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Amid Skepticism
Source: The DairyNews
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved a qualified health claim for yogurt, suggesting that consuming at least 2 cups of yogurt per week may help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. This decision, however, is based on limited evidence, and the claim must be accompanied by disclaimers to avoid misleading consumers.
The FDA's approval follows a request from Danone North America, part of a French multinational that produces several well-known yogurt brands. The company had provided studies showing an observational link between yogurt consumption and lower markers of diabetes, which the FDA considered as "some credible evidence" of potential health benefits. However, these findings do not stem from the more definitive randomized controlled trials, which are considered the gold standard in medical research.
Critics, including organizations like the Center for Science in the Public Interest and experts like Marion Nestle, have expressed concerns about the claim. They argue that no single food can definitively reduce the risk of a disease that is influenced by overall diet and lifestyle. Furthermore, they caution that this label change might lead consumers towards yogurt products with high added sugars and unhealthy mix-ins, potentially increasing the risk of diabetes rather than reducing it.
In summary, while yogurt can be part of a healthy diet, its role in directly preventing Type 2 diabetes remains uncertain and is supported by limited scientific evidence.
Critics, including organizations like the Center for Science in the Public Interest and experts like Marion Nestle, have expressed concerns about the claim. They argue that no single food can definitively reduce the risk of a disease that is influenced by overall diet and lifestyle. Furthermore, they caution that this label change might lead consumers towards yogurt products with high added sugars and unhealthy mix-ins, potentially increasing the risk of diabetes rather than reducing it.
In summary, while yogurt can be part of a healthy diet, its role in directly preventing Type 2 diabetes remains uncertain and is supported by limited scientific evidence.
