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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Nutrients

The Role of Milk and Dairy Products in Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Narrative Review of Randomized Trials

  • Paulina Kolbe1
  • Antonia-Therese Kietaibl1,2,3
  • Gersina Rega-Kaun1,3
  1. 15th Medical Department with Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Acute Geriatrics, Clinic Ottakring, 1160 Vienna, Austria
  2. 2Medical Faculty, Sigmund Freud University, Freudplatz 3, 1020 Vienna, Austria
  3. 3Verein zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung am Wilhelminenspital Austria, Montleartstr. 37, 1160 Vienna, Austria
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Abstract

Background/Objectives: The influence of milk and dairy products on glucose metabolism, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes is controversial. The topic has taken on new relevance following the release of the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines For Americans, recommending full-fat dairy with no added sugars on a daily basis. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize evidence from randomized trials on the potential effects of milk and dairy products on glycemic parameters. Methods: For this narrative review we conducted a PubMed literature search for randomized controlled trials with combined search terms (dairy AND diabetes mellitus type 2) OR (dairy products AND diabetes mellitus type 2) OR (dairy AND pre diabetes) OR (dairy products AND pre diabetes). Eligible trials enrolled adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes and analyzed the influence of a milk or dairy-product intervention on glycemic markers. Included trials had full text availability and were published in English or German. Results: After screening for inclusion criteria, we identified 46 studies for type 2 diabetes and 11 trials for prediabetes. Findings of included studies are presented categorized by type 2 diabetes and prediabetes cohorts, by dairy intervention and by effects on acute (e.g., postprandial glucose, insulin and incretin concentrations) and chronic (e.g., hemoglobin A1c, fructosamine) glycemic control. Conclusions: Dairy products require a differentiated view, as their glycemic effects in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes vary substantially by dairy matrix, dose, timing, and specific fortification.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{kolbe2026role,
  title = {{The Role of Milk and Dairy Products in Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Narrative Review of Randomized Trials}},
  author = {Paulina Kolbe and Antonia-Therese Kietaibl and Gersina Rega-Kaun},
  journal = {Nutrients},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/nu18203407},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3407},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The Role of Milk and Dairy Products in Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Narrative Review of Randomized Trials
AU  - Paulina Kolbe
AU  - Antonia-Therese Kietaibl
AU  - Gersina Rega-Kaun
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/17
JO  - Nutrients
DO  - 10.3390/nu18203407
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3407
AB  - Background/Objectives: The influence of milk and dairy products on glucose metabolism, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes is controversial. The topic has taken on new relevance following the release of the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines For Americans, recommending full-fat dairy with no added sugars on a daily basis. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize evidence from randomized trials on the potential effects of milk and dairy products on glycemic parameters. Methods: For this narrative review we conducted a PubMed literature search for randomized controlled trials with combined search terms (dairy AND diabetes mellitus type 2) OR (dairy products AND diabetes mellitus type 2) OR (dairy AND pre diabetes) OR (dairy products AND pre diabetes). Eligible trials enrolled adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes and analyzed the influence of a milk or dairy-product intervention on glycemic markers. Included trials had full text availability and were published in English or German. Results: After screening for inclusion criteria, we identified 46 studies for type 2 diabetes and 11 trials for prediabetes. Findings of included studies are presented categorized by type 2 diabetes and prediabetes cohorts, by dairy intervention and by effects on acute (e.g., postprandial glucose, insulin and incretin concentrations) and chronic (e.g., hemoglobin A1c, fructosamine) glycemic control. Conclusions: Dairy products require a differentiated view, as their glycemic effects in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes vary substantially by dairy matrix, dose, timing, and specific fortification.
SN  - 2072-6643
ER  -