In recent years, an increasing number of women have eliminated dairy from their diets. This trend is largely fueled by concerns regarding bovine growth hormones, animal welfare, and digestive issues, alongside a significantly wider range of milk and dairy alternatives now available. Women are at a heightened risk of osteoporosis and reduced bone density following menopause, and they require more calcium—1,000 mg daily for those under 50—yet they generally consume less dairy than men. Public health advocates in Australia and the U.K. have raised alarms that the growing number of women avoiding dairy has reached “dangerous levels.”
According to USDA statistics, milk consumption across all demographics has halved since the late 1970s, while farmgate milk prices have also seen a sharp decline. Interestingly, total dairy consumption has risen, with per capita yogurt intake climbing to nearly 15 pounds a year, up from just two pounds in 1975. Nevertheless, yogurt still does not play a significant role in the total dairy servings consumed by Americans.
In response, the dairy industry is actively working to shift focus away from liquid milk, promoting protein-enhanced and functional products, as well as highlighting the fresh and natural qualities of milk. Recent studies supporting the benefits of dairy consumption are likely to bolster the industry’s efforts. However, as more women adopt dietary guidelines that encourage increased intake of plant-based foods, both the dairy industry and researchers focused on early menopause may need to make a more compelling case for the importance of dairy in women’s health, especially in relation to calcium sources, such as calcium citrate.
It’s vital to acknowledge the links between dairy consumption and essential nutrients like calcium. Emphasizing these links and the role of calcium citrate in supporting bone health may be essential strategies for convincing women of the continued relevance of dairy in their diets.