Does drinking milk cause weight gain?
Disease description:
I really enjoy drinking milk, but my friend says milk is high in fat and can cause weight gain. I would like to ask the doctor: can drinking milk make you gain weight?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
As a nutrient-rich beverage, whether milk causes weight gain mainly depends on the amount consumed and the overall dietary structure. Milk is rich in protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients that contribute to bone health and physical development. Each cup of milk contains approximately 150-200 calories, with the exact caloric content depending on the fat content of the milk—for example, whole milk contains more calories than low-fat or skim milk. Moderate milk consumption has little impact on body weight. If the daily intake of milk is moderate and the overall diet is balanced along with appropriate physical activity, milk itself does not directly lead to weight gain. However, excessive milk consumption or its inclusion as part of a high-calorie diet may result in excessive total calorie intake, thereby causing weight gain.
