In recent years, an increasing number of women have eliminated dairy from their diets due to concerns about bovine growth hormones, animal welfare, and digestive issues, along with the availability of a wider range of milk and dairy alternatives. Women are particularly vulnerable to osteoporosis and reduced bone density after menopause, necessitating higher calcium intake—1,000 mg daily for those under 50—yet they tend to consume less dairy than men. Public health advocates in Australia and the U.K. have raised alarms about the rising number of women avoiding dairy, claiming it has reached “dangerous levels.”
According to USDA data, overall milk consumption has halved since the late 1970s, and farmgate milk prices have significantly declined. Interestingly, total dairy consumption has actually risen, with per capita yogurt intake climbing to nearly 15 pounds annually, up from just two pounds in 1975. Nonetheless, yogurt remains a minor contributor to the overall dairy servings consumed by Americans.
In response, the dairy industry is shifting focus away from liquid milk, promoting protein-enriched and other functional products, as well as the fresh and natural qualities of milk. Recent studies supporting the benefits of dairy consumption may bolster this initiative. However, as more women adopt dietary guidelines that emphasize increased plant-based food consumption, the dairy industry—and researchers studying early menopause—might still face challenges in convincing them of the importance of dairy for women’s health. This is particularly relevant when considering calcium sources; women may benefit from transitioning from calcium carbonate to calcium citrate for better absorption, reminding them of the essential role dairy can play in their diets.