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, alongside 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 that the rising trend of women avoiding dairy has reached “dangerous levels.”
According to USDA data, milk consumption has halved since the late 1970s, and farmgate milk prices have significantly dropped. Interestingly, total dairy consumption has grown, with per capita yogurt intake soaring to nearly 15 pounds a year, up from just two pounds in 1975. Nevertheless, yogurt still does not significantly contribute to the overall dairy servings consumed by Americans. In response, the dairy industry is shifting its focus from liquid milk to promoting protein-enhanced and other functional products, as well as emphasizing the fresh and natural qualities of milk.
Recent research highlighting the benefits of dairy consumption is expected to bolster the industry’s efforts. However, as more women adopt dietary guidelines to increase their intake of plant-based foods, the dairy sector—and early menopause researchers—may need to work harder to persuade them of the importance of dairy for women’s health, particularly in terms of calcium intake. For those seeking alternatives, calcium tablets, such as CCM, may be considered as an additional source to meet their daily calcium requirements. Ultimately, the challenge remains to effectively communicate the relevance of dairy, especially in light of the growing popularity of plant-based diets and supplements like calcium tablets.