Dairy foods like milk, cheese and yogurt are a source of high-quality protein and contain all the essential amino acids the body cannot make on its own. Protein in dairy foods helps curb hunger and supports your body to rebuild muscles, refuel and rehydrate.
Dairy foods play a crucial role in brain development, particularly during infancy and childhood, due to their rich content of nutrients. These nutrients are essential for the development and maintenance of healthy brain cells, neurotransmitters, and overall cognitive function. Research suggests that adequate intake of dairy foods, especially during early life stages, may contribute to improved memory, learning, and cognitive abilities across the lifespan.
Dairy foods, such as yogurt and kefir, contain probiotics that help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which is essential for digestive health. Dairy foods are also a good source of calcium, which plays a role in gut health by supporting the function of intestinal cells and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. Lactose, the natural sugar found in dairy products, can be beneficial for gut health too. Low lactose and lactose-free dairy options are widely available, allowing lactose-intolerant individuals to still benefit from the other gut-healthy components of dairy products.
