Besides helping to reduce high blood pressure, the potassium found in dairy foods may have another benefit for the heart. T he researchers then tracked deaths from strokes of the subjects through 1992. During the follow-up years, there were 304 stroke deaths. Stroke mortality rates were significantly higher among African American men, who overall consumed less dietary potassium than white men. Among African American men, those with the lowest potassium intakes had a 167 percent higher rate of stroke mortality than those with the highest potassium intakes.
Milk is a good source of potassium.
Additional research has found that the DASH diet, which calls for 3 servings of lowfat milk and 8 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, can help reduce hypertension, particularly for African Americans. The bone building benefits of calcium and vitamin D may help older women improve their balance, therefore preventing subsequent falls and fractures. The women in the calcium and vitamin D group, when compared to those receiving calcium alone, had higher serum vitamin D levels, improved balance and lower levels of parathyroid hormone that signals bone turnover and bone loss. Milk is one of the few dietary sources of both calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and may improve muscle coordination. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.