Yet another reason why diary consumption can be beneficial: Tufts University researchers have concluded there's a link between calcium and vitamin D intake and reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes. The Tufts people basically gathered all previous studies on the topic and examined them with a fine tooth comb. Finding Number One: People with low vitamin D levels have a greater risk (up to forty-six percent) for T2 diabetes. Finding Number Two: healthy adults don't really benefit from increased vitamin D intake alone, but rather do better with an increased intake of vitamin D and calcium. And this combo is found in all milk and, to a greater or lesser extent, in milk products. They say people with the highest dairy intake (three to five daily servings) had a fifteen percent lower risk for T2 than people with more moderate consumption (one and a half servings or less daily).

The big question: Why does calcium and vitamin D consumption have such a beneficial effect in T2 diabetes prevention? The Tufts researchers say these substances may help the body to produce and/or use insulin. But that's not all. Diary foods also contain magnesium, which known to decrease T2 risk as well. It's difficult, therefore, to work out exactly which elements in dairy are doing what in the body, but it does seem safe to say that dairy consumption - up to, but not exceeding, recommended daily servings - is good for the health and does lower T2 diabetes risk. Unless you're allergic... Or vegan...

University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers found that yogurt enriched with fruit or made from soy could play an important dietary role for people living with Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Scientists screened extracts from a sampling of dairy and soy yogurts for properties that could help stabilize diabetes and hypertension. The fruit-enriched yogurts, especially those made with blueberries or made from soy, may curb some aspects of diabetes. The findings provide a strong rationale for further clinical studies, and for incorporating "healthy diet design" into disease management strategies.

The research shows that certain plant compounds affect enzymes targeted by diabetes drugs, notably alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. The research also investigated foods' effect on angiotensin converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors, medicines used to fight high blood pressure. The study used peach, strawberry, blueberry and plain yogurt made by four different producers, including a soy brand. Tests showed that soy blueberry yogurt strongly affected all three of the enzymes. Peach and strawberry yogurt also affected alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. The researchers tested the yogurt varieties for antioxidants and plant compounds called phenols. Phenols and polyphenols give red wine and tea some of their heart-healthy benefits. Plain soy yogurt was the most potent, with blueberry dairy yogurt scoring second on phenol and antioxidant content, the researchers said. Soy yogurt was also the best at inhibiting ACE, which causes blood vessels to narrow and raises blood pressure.

If you've been steering clear of sweet snacks like yogurt for fear of losing blood sugar control - here's your chance to reconsider. Stroll down your local grocer's dairy isle and peruse the colorful display of fruity yogurts. They are just begging for a shot at the title of the sweet treat for better diabetes control.

Milk, cheese, yogurt -- not exactly exciting foods, are they? Sure, the whole Got Milk campaign did well to promote dairy by using celebrity milk mustaches to glamorize a relatively dull food choice. But, boring or not, dairy may actually be a lifesaver -- in more ways than one.

The most obvious way that dairy could save your life would be if you were tied to a set of railroad tracks and one of the Cow Superhero's from Chick-Fil-A came to your rescue. I wouldn't count on that one, though (besides, the whole 'tying people to railroad tracks' while twisting your mustache is so yesterday -- at least that's what I've been hearing in the villain circle as of late). Other than that, however, a cow may come to your rescue after all, since it has been discovered that eating and drinking low-fat dairy products may cut your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Based on information reported by the journal Diabetes Care, dairy products cause your body to release amino acids and hormones that stimulate the production of insulin. To fully explore this cow juice/insulin relationship, the researchers monitored the eating habits and health of over 37,000 women for a span of 10 years. During that period of time, 1,603 of the women developed type 2 diabetes. But, the women who consumed the most dairy during that time had showed a 21% decrease in diabetes risk than those who consumed less dairy.

Not contained in the Diabetes Care journal, but presumably known by the authors of the referenced article, a diet rich in dairy has also been shown to help people lose weight. This too may have played a part in the subjects' reduced risk of developing type 2.

So, bland, boring or delicious -- whatever your opinion on dairy may be, you may still be wise to make sure that you are getting an ample amount in your diet.

Moo.