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Dairy Council

Scientific overview of dairy and health

The science behind the health and nutritional impact of milk and dairy foods

Milk and dairy foods have been an important part of the Northern Ireland diet and food culture for generations. 

They are naturally rich sources of a wide range of nutrients and make a significant contribution to nutrient intakes and diet quality. 

Milk and dairy foods have also been linked to a variety of potential benefits in areas such as bone health, blood pressure and weight control, along with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer. They also have a role in sports nutrition and in the helping to maintain muscle mass and function in older people.

The overviews below summarise the scientific evidence for dairy's health impacts, and are the result of collaboration between the nutritionists from the European Milk Forum (EMF) member organisations, which includes DCNI. 

See more on the EMF ‘Milk, Nutritious by Nature’ programme here.