Dairy Consumption Linked to Healthy Dietary Behaviors, Irish Study finds

05 Jul 2017 --- After analyzing dairy consumption patterns in Irish adults, researchers at Teagasc – Ireland’s Agriculture and Food Development Authority – and UCC have found that those who consume a balance of all dairy foods also expressed strong motivations to engage in healthy dietary behaviors, whereby fat intakes are within recommended levels.

To uncover how people incorporate dairy foods into their diets, the researchers have analyzed the National Adult Nutrition Survey, which investigates habitual food and beverage consumption, lifestyle, health indicators and attitudes to food and health in a representative sample (n=1,500) of adults over the age of 18 in the Republic of Ireland during 2008-2010.

The researchers found that nearly 99% of the population included dairy products, with milk being the most widely consumed product. On average, Irish adults meet the dietary recommendations for dairy food and are consuming a glass of milk, a portion of cheese and a pot of yogurt most days of the week.

However, when grouped by the type and pattern of dairy foods consumed, the research shows that not all consumers eat dairy in the same way. Some people, generally the sport-orientated men tend to drink more than a pint of full-fat milk a day while not consuming most other dairy products such as cheese or yogurt. Younger consumers, on the other hand, prefer just cheese, while more women prefer to eat yogurts. Most of those who consumed high amounts of dairy foods were motivated to follow a healthy diet. Nearly a quarter of the population consumed very little dairy products while others only used it in tea and coffee.

According to Dr. Sinéad McCarthy, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown: "The consumers who have a balance of all dairy foods also expressed strong motivations to engage in healthy dietary behaviors, whereby fat intakes are within recommended levels, showing that dairy foods play a key role in a healthy diet." 

However, according to the research, nearly one-quarter of Irish adults consume very little dairy products at less than 100g per day, well below the recommended three servings from the milk cheese and yogurt food group. These consumers need to ensure that they consume adequate calcium to maintain bone health and prevent health issues such as osteoporosis later in life.

Having these profiles of dairy consumers can present exciting opportunities for new product development and target consumers with tailored dairy products to suit their dietary preferences and requirements.