At least two billion dollars could be slashed from the annual healthcare budget if Australians increased their dairy intake, according to a new study.
Approximately 65 per cent of Australians currently consume less than the recommended amount.
Researchers from the Health Economics and Social Policy Group at the University of South Australia reviewed the health benefits of dairy consumption and calculated the healthcare expenditure in Australia due to low dairy consumption.
Potential healthcare savings could be made due to dairy’s beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and osteoporosis.
The research, which was presented at the Nutrition Society conference in New Zealand, concluded that there is strong justification for developing interventions focused on increasing dairy consumption to reduce the costs of diet-related disease.
Dairy Australia dietitian, Glenys Zucco said the study reinforced the understanding that the benefits of dairy foods were far reaching.
“Dairy’s health benefits are well established and this new information demonstrates further need to ensure all Australians eat the recommended daily intake of dairy foods,” Ms Zucco said.
“It’s a shame so many Australians are missing out on the health and nutrition benefits dairy provides.
“Dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yoghurt provide a unique package of nutrients including calcium, high quality protein, zinc, potassium and vitamin A.
“Most Australians require three serves of dairy foods every day to meet their calcium requirements. A serve is equal to a cup of milk, two slices of cheese or a tub of yoghurt.”
SOURCE: Dairy Australia