Drinking whole milk may entail a number of health benefits, according to studies collected by the Washington Post. The newspaper has joined the lively debate over whether full-fat dairy products may improve health or prevent chronic diseases.

It mentioned a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that found that drinking whole milk may decrease the likelihood of developing colon cancer.

Other studies appeared in the article. In the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a paper linked whole milk to a decreased risk of heart disease, and another study in journal Annals of Internal Medicine added that elderly Americans who drink large amounts of whole milk may have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The Michigan Fresh Unprocessed Whole Milk Workgroup has said that milk is a vital food, one that provides necessary fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and 22 minerals.

It specified that many of these nutrients and minerals are reduced when whole milk is leached of some of its fat content.

When milk retains its full measure fat, the health benefits are reportedly plentiful, enough that researchers are still looking into the positive effects of drinking whole milk.