by the National Dairy Council

A systematic review assessed more than 100 studies over nearly 40 years found that fermented dairy foods provide many health benefits.¹ According to a recent survey, more than 40% of US consumers enjoy dairy products as a way to improve their immune function or overall health. Nearly four in 10 reported consuming dairy as a method of weight loss or weight management.²

Dairy foods have specific nutrients that help support immunity

Vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B₁₂, protein, and the antioxidants selenium and zinc, vitamin B₆, and antioxidants like vitamins C and E are all important to support immunity. You can get these nutrients from eating dairy foods. These nutrients in dairy foods play an important role in immunity. Milk, for example, provides vitamins A, B₁₂ and D, protein, zinc, and selenium. Cheese and yogurt also contain protein, B₁₂ and selenium and yogurt is a good source of zinc, too.

Cultured Immunity

All cultured dairy products, such as yogurt, kefir, and others (such as cottage cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, and certain cheeses) that specifically contain active, colony-forming probiotic bacteria, either naturally or that have been proactively cultured, help support the health of the digestive system, the most important immune-supporting organ.

New CFUs

There are a number of boutique makers of cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, buttermilk, and other dairy items that are culturing them specifically to contain sufficient colony-forming units (CFUs) of active probiotics. Some are even including in these formulations the prebiotic fibers needed to feed those cultures.

Fermentation Nation

Fermented foods, especially fermented dairy like yogurt and kefir, containing live cultures can add beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract, helping maintain a healthy microbiota and gut barrier function. Fermentation can produce additional bioactives, such as peptides and short-chain fatty acids, which can have a positive impact on digestion, absorption, and metabolism.

Fermented foods have been linked to reduced inflammation and other health benefits. A strong and growing body of evidence demonstrates fermented dairy foods support healthy digestion and reduce the risk of some diseases, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, immune-related diseases, and cognitive decline.

1. “Yogurt, cultured fermented milk, and health: a systematic review” Nutrition Reviews (April, 2021)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32447398/

2. “Health benefits for consuming dairy products among U.S. consumers in 2022” (July, 2023)

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393992/health-benefits-of-dairy-products-for-us-consumers/