Milk and Health

This review article examines the health effects of milk and dairy consumption, addressing both potential benefits and risks. While dairy products are rich in essential nutrients and have been traditionally promoted for bone health and growth, the evidence supporting high dairy intake for fracture prevention is limited. The article highlights paradoxical findings, such as higher hip fracture rates in countries with high milk consumption. It also explores the role of dairy in weight management, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and cancer risk, noting inconsistent associations. The authors conclude that the current recommendation of three daily servings of dairy is not well justified for most adults and suggest that optimal intake depends on individual diet quality. Alternatives for calcium and vitamin D are discussed, along with environmental concerns related to dairy production.

This review article examines the health effects of milk and dairy consumption, addressing both potential benefits and risks. While dairy products are rich in essential nutrients and have been traditionally promoted for bone health and growth, the evidence supporting high dairy intake for fracture prevention is limited. The article highlights paradoxical findings, such as higher hip fracture rates in countries with high milk consumption. It also explores the role of dairy in weight management, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and cancer risk, noting inconsistent associations. The authors conclude that the current recommendation of three daily servings of dairy is not well justified for most adults and suggest that optimal intake depends on individual diet quality. Alternatives for calcium and vitamin D are discussed, along with environmental concerns related to dairy production.