Healthy eating includes dairy, says research

Healthier dietary patterns in the UK include dairy products, research undertaken by the University of Reading has revealed. The research project has shown trends between fruit and vegetables consumption, and other healthy eating patterns, and intakes of milk and dairy products. The initial findings from the research were revealed at the “Dairy Makes a Difference to Diet and Sustainability” conference.

These findings include:

•         Dairy makes a significant contribution to nutrient intake and health
•         Dairy intake is associated with ‘healthier’ eating patterns in the UK
•         Dairy consumption is associated with cardiovascular disease risk reduction

Dr Anne Mullen, director of nutrition at The Dairy Council says, “This is further evidence that dairy forms part of a healthy balanced diet and provides a range of very valuable nutrients. Milk and dairy play an important role in the UK diet and are fundamental for the health of the nation.”

As a second phase of the research project, the University of Reading will also develop a model for optimising the nutrition benefits of dairy intake with environmental sustainability and financial cost for the consumer. The Reading research, carried out in collaboration with ADAS & RAND Europe, has been commissioned by The Dairy Council, Dairy UK and DairyCo.

Ray Keatinge, DairyCo’s head of research and development, says, ‘’By continuing to focus on environmental performance, and adapting production systems to make the best use of non-renewable resources, dairy has an incredibly important role to play in the future of sustainable production and consumption.”

Dr Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK adds: “The global dairy supply chain is committed to providing an ever increasing world population with safe, nutritious dairy foods in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way. Today’s event showcases just how seriously the dairy industry takes its health and environmental credentials. In the UK we have been ahead of many other food sectors in our work in this area for some years now: Through a series of initiatives across the whole supply chain we intend to stay that way. We want consumers to be secure in the knowledge that when they buy dairy they are getting its nutritional goodness in a way that looks after the planet for future generations.”