Milk is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium, which is important for bone health. Nutritionists recommend milk and other dairy products such as yoghurt & cheese should be part of a healthy balanced diet.

In fact, the Australian Dietary Guidelines say that consumption of milk, cheese and yoghurt is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and colorectal cancer.

Research has shown:

Blood pressure – having low fat milk and dairy products is associated with lowered blood pressure and when combined high intake of fruits and vegetables blood pressure is lowered.

Cardiovascular health – may be protective for stroke risk. The Heart Foundation says that unless you already have coronary heart disease or elevated cholesterol, full fat milk, yoghurt and cheeses are unlikely to increase your risk of heart disease when consumed as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Colorectal cancer – according to the World Cancer Research Fund, people who regularly eat more than one serve of dairy products each day (particularly milk) have a reduced risk of developing colon cancer.

Type 2 diabetes – dairy products and particularly low – fat varieties are protective against developing type 2 diabetes.

Osteoporosis – removing milk or milk products from your diet, can lead to inadequate intake of calcium. Particularly concerning for women over the age of 50 and the elderly, who have increased calcium needs. Calcium deficiency may lead to conditions like osteoporosis (a disease that results in loss of bone).