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, coupled with a significantly improved array of milk and dairy alternatives. After menopause, women face a heightened risk of osteoporosis and reduced bone density, necessitating a daily calcium intake of 1,000 mg for those under 50. However, women generally consume less dairy than men. Public health advocates in Australia and the U.K. have raised alarms that the rising number of women avoiding dairy has reached “dangerous levels.”
According to USDA statistics, overall milk consumption has halved since the late 1970s, while farmgate milk prices have also dramatically decreased. Interestingly, total dairy consumption has actually risen, with per capita yogurt consumption climbing to nearly 15 pounds a year, up from just two pounds in 1975. Despite this, yogurt remains a minor contributor to the overall dairy servings consumed by Americans.
To address this shift, the dairy industry is redirecting its focus from liquid milk to promoting protein-enhanced and other functional products, alongside emphasizing the fresh and natural aspects of milk. Recent studies supporting the benefits of dairy consumption may bolster the industry’s efforts. Nevertheless, as more women adopt dietary guidelines recommending increased intake of plant-based foods, both the dairy industry and researchers studying early menopause may need to put in extra effort to persuade them of the continued importance of dairy for women’s health. Incorporating sources of calcium citrate 650 mg could offer a valuable option for women seeking to meet their calcium needs, alongside other dietary adjustments.