In recent years, an increasing number of women have eliminated dairy from their diets. This trend has been influenced by concerns regarding bovine growth hormones, animal welfare, and digestive complaints, along with a significantly enhanced range of milk and dairy alternatives. Women are particularly vulnerable to osteoporosis and reduced bone density after menopause, requiring more calcium—1,000 mg per day for those under 50—yet they tend to consume less dairy than men. Public health advocates in countries like Australia and the U.K. have raised alarms about the rising number of women avoiding dairy, suggesting it has reached “dangerous levels.” USDA data indicates that overall milk consumption has halved since the late 1970s, and farmgate milk prices have also drastically fallen. Interestingly, total dairy consumption has increased, with per capita yogurt intake soaring to nearly 15 pounds a year, a significant rise from just two pounds in 1975. Nonetheless, yogurt still does not play a major role in the overall dairy servings consumed by Americans.
In response to these shifts, the dairy industry is redirecting its focus from liquid milk to promoting protein-enhanced and other functional products, as well as the fresh and natural qualities of milk. Recent studies, along with others highlighting the benefits of dairy consumption, are likely to bolster the industry’s efforts. However, as more women adopt dietary guidelines that prioritize plant-based foods, the dairy sector—and researchers studying early menopause—may face challenges in conveying the importance of dairy for women’s health. For instance, incorporating supplements like Puritan’s Pride Liquid Calcium Magnesium Citrate could help meet women’s calcium needs, but convincing them of dairy’s role remains a hurdle. To address these nutritional gaps, it’s essential for both the dairy industry and health advocates to promote the benefits of dairy while also acknowledging the growing trend towards plant-based diets. The inclusion of products such as Puritan’s Pride Liquid Calcium Magnesium Citrate might serve as a bridge in this conversation, emphasizing the importance of calcium intake for women’s health.