Benefit 3: Dairy and Metabolic Syndrome 

Metabolic syndrome is associated with the risk of diabetes and heart disease. It's a group of conditions or risk factors including obesity, high blood sugars, low HDL (the "good cholesterol"), high blood pressure and high triglycerides. 

Researchers from Iran conducted a study – published in 2005 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition – involving 827 men and women to record the effects of dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese) in relation to metabolic syndrome. 

Here's what they found: Those who consumed the most dairy had a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, not to mention lower risk of a bigger waist size! Yet another point in milk's favor.