In recent years, an increasing number of women have eliminated dairy from their diets. This trend has been fueled by concerns regarding bovine growth hormones, animal welfare, and digestive issues, alongside a significantly better range of milk and dairy alternatives. As women face a heightened risk of osteoporosis and decreased bone density after menopause, their need for calcium rises—specifically, 1,000 mg per day for those under 50. However, women tend to consume less dairy than men. Health advocates in Australia and the U.K. have raised alarms about the growing number of women avoiding dairy, suggesting it has reached “dangerous levels.”
According to USDA data, overall milk consumption has halved since the late 1970s, and farmgate milk prices have dramatically declined. Interestingly, total dairy consumption has actually seen an increase, with per capita yogurt consumption soaring to nearly 15 pounds a year, compared to just two pounds in 1975. Nevertheless, yogurt does not significantly contribute to the total dairy servings for Americans.
The dairy industry is responding by shifting focus from liquid milk to promoting protein-enhanced and other functional products, while also emphasizing the fresh and natural aspects of milk. Recent studies highlighting the benefits of dairy consumption may bolster the industry’s efforts. However, as more women adopt dietary recommendations that encourage increased intake of plant-based foods, the dairy industry, along with researchers studying early menopause, may need to intensify their efforts to demonstrate the importance of dairy—rich in calcium citrate—on women’s health. To maintain adequate calcium levels, particularly the recommended 1,000 mg daily, it is essential for women to reconsider the role of dairy in their diets.