A balanced diet featuring milk, fruits, and vegetables, promoting longevity and counteracting mortality risks.

Milk, Fruits, and Longevity: Can Antioxidants Modify the Mortality Risk?

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the connection between milk consumption, antioxidant intake, and mortality rates. How can a balanced diet influence your lifespan?"

For decades, milk has been touted as a nutritional cornerstone, essential for strong bones and overall health. Yet, recent studies have stirred controversy, suggesting that high milk consumption might not be as beneficial as we once believed. As a result, health enthusiasts and researchers are starting to ask critical questions about the balance of our diets and their impact on long-term health.

A groundbreaking study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology has investigated the relationship between milk, fruit and vegetable intake, and mortality rates, challenging conventional wisdom. This research delves into whether the potential risks associated with high milk consumption can be mitigated by incorporating antioxidant-rich foods into our daily meals.

By examining extensive data from Swedish cohort studies, researchers aimed to uncover how dietary habits influence lifespan. The core question: Can a diet rich in fruits and vegetables counteract the potential negative effects of high milk consumption? Here’s a closer look at the findings and what they mean for your diet and overall health.

Decoding the Milk and Mortality Connection

A balanced diet featuring milk, fruits, and vegetables, promoting longevity and counteracting mortality risks.

The study, led by Karl Michaëlsson and his team, analyzed data from over 61,000 women and 45,000 men in Sweden. Researchers tracked participants over decades, noting their dietary habits—specifically milk, fruit, and vegetable intake—and monitoring mortality rates. The goal was to determine if a diet high in antioxidants could modify the associations between milk consumption and mortality.

Here's what they uncovered:

Elevated Risk with High Milk and Low Fruit/Vegetable Intake: Women who consumed three or more glasses of milk per day and had minimal fruit and vegetable intake (less than one serving) faced a significantly higher hazard ratio for death (2.79).
Antioxidants Offer Protection: Women who drank the same amount of milk but consumed at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily saw a reduced hazard ratio (1.60).
Similar Trends in Men: Men showed similar, though less pronounced, trends. High milk consumption combined with low fruit and vegetable intake increased mortality risk, while a diet rich in antioxidants provided a protective effect.

These results suggest that the elevated mortality rates associated with high milk consumption might be modulated by dietary antioxidant intake. In other words, the risks linked to drinking a lot of milk could be offset by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Balancing Your Diet for a Longer, Healthier Life

The study underscores the importance of a balanced diet rich in antioxidants to counteract potential risks associated with high milk consumption. While milk can be a valuable source of nutrients, it’s crucial to ensure adequate intake of fruits and vegetables to promote overall health and longevity. It's important to consult with healthcare professionals or registered dietitians to get personalized dietary advice based on individual health status and needs.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/aje/kww124, Alternate LINK

Title: Milk, Fruit And Vegetable, And Total Antioxidant Intakes In Relation To Mortality Rates: Cohort Studies In Women And Men

Subject: Epidemiology

Journal: American Journal of Epidemiology

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: Karl Michaëlsson, Alicja Wolk, Håkan Melhus, Liisa Byberg

Published: 2017-02-10

Everything You Need To Know

What was the main focus of the study?

The research, published in the *American Journal of Epidemiology*, investigated the relationship between milk, fruit and vegetable intake, and mortality rates. The study examined data from Swedish cohort studies to uncover how dietary habits influence lifespan. The core question was whether a diet rich in fruits and vegetables could counteract the potential negative effects of high milk consumption. The study tracked participants' dietary habits and monitored mortality rates over several decades.

What were the key findings of the study regarding milk, fruit, vegetables and mortality?

The study revealed that women who consumed three or more glasses of milk per day and had minimal fruit and vegetable intake (less than one serving) faced a significantly higher hazard ratio for death. However, those who drank the same amount of milk but consumed at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily saw a reduced hazard ratio. Men showed similar trends, though less pronounced. High milk consumption combined with low fruit and vegetable intake increased mortality risk, while a diet rich in antioxidants provided a protective effect. These findings suggest that dietary antioxidants might modify the associations between milk consumption and mortality.

How do antioxidants affect the relationship between milk consumption and mortality?

The study’s findings suggest that while high milk consumption may be associated with elevated mortality rates, this risk can be modulated by the intake of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help to counteract the potential negative effects of milk consumption, thus promoting overall health and longevity. This underscores the importance of a balanced diet that includes both milk (in moderation, if consumed) and a substantial amount of antioxidant-rich foods.

Why is this research important?

The significance lies in the potential modification of mortality risk through dietary choices. The study challenges the conventional view of milk as solely beneficial and highlights the importance of considering the overall dietary context. The research suggests that incorporating fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants, can mitigate potential risks associated with high milk consumption. The research stresses the need for a balanced diet to maintain good health and increase life expectancy. Health professionals should be consulted for personalized dietary advice.

What are the implications of these findings for dietary choices?

The implications of the study are that a balanced diet plays a critical role in health outcomes. The research underscores the importance of balancing milk consumption with adequate fruit and vegetable intake to ensure a lower mortality risk. High milk consumption might pose a risk if not balanced with sufficient antioxidants. The findings highlight the importance of a dietary approach that includes foods with antioxidants to support overall health and increase the life span. Healthcare professionals should be consulted for personalized dietary advice.