Yet consumers remain remarkably consistent in the percent of calories, calcium, and fat they get from dairy foods. Although dairy products contribute only 10 percent of daily calories to the U.S. diet, they supply a significant portion of good nutrition. Lower-fat choices in some dairy foods allow consumers to get more calcium in a serving. As food consumers look for ways to make fewer calories deliver more nutrition, the demand for dairy foods will likely rise. Calcium is emerging as an important part of good nutrition for the 21st century.
Research suggests that calcium is a true multi-purpose nutrient.
It is the most abundant mineral in the body, with bone deposits serving as storage for the body's supply of calcium. Bone calcium is replenished through dietary calcium, primarily from dairy foods. Calcium has long been recognized for its role in healthy bones and teeth. New evidence suggests calcium can also help prevent bone deterioration, control high blood pressure, and reduce cancer risk. The health benefits of dairy foods will become increasingly important to baby boomers as they strive to maintain health during later years.