Consuming fat-free or low-fat milk may help delay the progression knee osteoarthritis in women, according to a recent study.

Osteoarthritis is a common, degenerative joint disease that causes pain and the swelling of joint in the hand, hips or knee, researchers said in a press release.  The condition affects nearly 27 million Americans age 25 and older. The disease is more prevalent and severe in women.

Although medical evidence points to obesity, joint injury, and repetitive use from some sports as risk factors for incident knee osteoarthritis, risks associated with its progression remain unclear.

"Milk consumption plays an important role in bone health," lead author Bing Lu from Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Mass. said in a statement. "Our study is the largest study to investigate the impact of dairy intake in the progression of knee [osteoarthritis]."

For the study, more than 2,100 volunteers with knew osteoarthritis were recruited. At the beginning of the study, dietary data was collected and joint space width was measured by x-ray to evaluate osteoarthritis progression. Subjects included 888 men and 1,260 women who had follow-up at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months.

Researchers found that as the intake of mil increased from none to less than 3, 4-6, and more than 7 (8 oz.) glasses per week, the joint space width in women also decreased by 0.38mm, 0.29mm and 0.26mm, respectively.

The results persisted in women even after adjusting for disease severity, body mass index and dietary factors, researchers said.

"Our findings indicate that women who frequently drink milk may reduce the progression of [

osteoarthritis," Lu said. "Further study of milk intake and delay in [osteoarthritis]progression are needed."

No association between milk consumption and joint space width decrease was reported in men.

The findings were published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research.