Examining milk molecules could open new doors for dairy

There are thousands of molecules in a glass of milk.

Some of these molecules are well known to farmers and consumers alike, such as protein, Vitamin D, calcium and others that comprise milk’s unique package of 13 essential nutrients.

But as far as the thousands of others? The dairy checkoff is taking a deep dive to discover new benefits of bioactive molecules in dairy, while looking to strengthen our understanding of the “how” behind all that dairy delivers now.

The focus on bioactive molecules in milk also holds the potential to strengthen the case for dairy’s unique contributions in a time when non-dairy alternative companies are marketing their products as similar to the real thing.

Dairy checkoff scientists and researchers have been working on new and innovative ways to use science and technology to accelerate discovery of beneficial bioactives in milk.

This is another example of a checkoff-led strategy of showing how dairy is adapting to changing consumer needs and meeting them where they are. More and more, people are making purchase decisions that stretch beyond price and taste. Consumers, particularly those in younger generations, are following a “food as medicine” approach and we are confident dairy can deliver much more beyond its current nutrients claim.

The checkoff already has been busy sharing some science-based qualities that had been flying under the radar, such as milk’s role in supporting immunity, calm, energy and digestive health that are important to younger consumers.

We believe our focus on dairy bioactives can take dairy to a greater place of opportunity and open new doors for the industry, while possibly making this information available to consumers who want more information on their food choices.

We’ve long known milk is a unique food that offers benefits that are hard to match.

But we are finding that using science and technology will uncover a whole new world that could deliver greater value to the people who make it all possible: our nation’s dairy farm families.

To learn more about your national dairy checkoff, visit www.USDairy.com/forfarmers or to reach us directly, send an email to TalkToTheCheckoff@dairy.org