You probably don’t think about a “matrix” while milking cows. But believe it or not, there’s a matrix in every glass of milk you produce.
Meet the dairy food matrix, which is changing the way health experts – and hopefully consumers – think about dairy foods.
So what is it?
The dairy food matrix is a scientific term that refers to how the nutrients and bioactive components (protein, fats, vitamins, minerals and even live cultures) in milk, cheese, and yogurt work together in the body. So instead of looking at only one nutrient at a time, researchers are studying how the entire food structure impacts health.
This shift matters because it’s helping explain why milk, cheese, and yogurt at all fat levels often can deliver beneficial health outcomes, lowering concerns over saturated fat within dairy foods. This change in thinking recognizes that the health effects of a food go beyond judging it only by its label contents. For dairy farmers, that’s a big deal.
At the farmer-funded National Dairy Council, we’ve invested in nutrition science for years. And we’re making sure health professionals and consumers hear the message loud and clear: Dairy food components work as a team, not as isolated nutrients.
Think of the dairy food matrix like a recipe – individual ingredients have value on their own, but together they create something even greater. That’s why we’re seeing growing support for including dairy foods at various fat levels in healthy diets that are mindful of overall calories. This newer field of research is connecting milk, cheese, and yogurt with health benefits at all fat levels – from potential for heart health to weight management.
This science also is helping us tell dairy’s story in a more compelling way – on social media, in doctor’s offices, and in conversations with people leading nutrition conversations with consumers.
At the end of the day, the dairy food matrix reinforces something you’ve always known – food nourishes people. And thanks to your work on the farm, we’ve got a powerful story to tell, one that helps give people even more reasons to enjoy dairy.
To learn more about your national dairy checkoff, visit DairyCheckoff.com or to reach us directly, send an email.
