Adding a dash of semi-skimmed milk to your daily tea might lower the risk of depression and anxiety, research suggests.

A substantial research from the UK discovered that individuals who frequently consume skimmed milk have about a thirty percent lower chance of being diagnosed with anxiety and a sixteen percent decreased likelihood of experiencing depression, as opposed to those who do not drink milk whatsoever.

The safeguarding benefits of semi-skimmed milk surpass those provided by either full-fat milk or skimmed milk.

However, it’s not good news for vegans — the research indicates that individuals consuming non-dairy alternatives like soy or oat milk are at an increased risk of experiencing anxiety or depression.

The researchers, affiliated with the Southern Medical University in China The findings indicated that there is something regarding the fat composition in semi-skimmed milk which positively impacts the brain and enhances levels of 'feel-good' hormones such as serotonin and dopamine.

A significant British research project discovered that individuals who routinely consume low-fat milk have about a thirty percent lower risk of being diagnosed with anxiety and a sixteen percent decreased likelihood of experiencing depression, as opposed to those who do not drink milk whatsoever.

The protective benefits of semi-skimmed milk surpass those provided by either full-fat milk or skimmed milk.

However, this is unfortunate news for vegans — the research indicates that individuals consuming non-dairy alternatives like soy or oat milk are at an increased risk of experiencing anxiety or depression.

In the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, the researchers stated: "The fatty acid composition of semi-skimmed milk could offer better cerebral protection than full-cream milk and skimmed milk, which may consequently lower the risk of developing both depression and anxiety."

They added that the findings offered 'fresh opportunities for nutritional interventions'.

The study examined information from 357,568 individuals ranging in age from 36 to 73 years old, tracked for over 13 years. Within this period, 13,065 participants received a diagnosis of depression, and 13,339 were identified as having anxiety disorders.

People who usually consumed semi-skimmed milk, which is the most popular type of milk in the UK, had a 16 percent reduced likelihood of being diagnosed with depression when compared to individuals who did not drink any milk. Additionally, consuming semi-skimmed milk correlated with a 29 percent decreased chance of experiencing anxiety.

On the contrary, consuming full-cream or whole milk appeared to be associated with a reduced likelihood of experiencing anxiety symptoms; however, this association did not extend to depression.

People who reported consuming non-dairy milk showed a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with either anxiety or depression when compared to individuals who drank some type of dairy milk as well as those who did not consume any milk products.

The authors said: ‘To robustly establish these associations, further research is needed to validate

These findings and investigate how varying levels of milk consumption influence mental well-being.

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