Milk and Health

BELIZAN JM; BELIZAN JM; CORMICK GABRIELA; CORMICK GABRIELA

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE

MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOC

Año: 2020 vol. 382

0028-4793

The article by Willett and Ludwig,which focused mainly on recommendationsfor the intake of milk and dairy products in theUnited States, concludes with the potentiallynegative consequences of consumption of dairyfoods. We are concerned that this message couldaffect the intake of dairy foods in populations inlow- and middle-income countries that have verylow calcium intakes.1,2 Data from randomized,controlled trials have shown that the attainmentof adequate calcium intake in populations withlow calcium intake decreases the incidence of hypertensivedisorders of pregnancy.3 An adequatecalcium intake is also associated with decreasedblood pressure, prevention of osteoporosis andcolorectal adenomas, decreased cholesterol levels,and decreased blood pressure in offspring.3Achieving an adequate calcium intake throughsources proposed by the authors (e.g., kale,broccoli, tofu, nuts, beans, and fortified orangejuice) is not feasible for populations in low- andmiddle-income countries and could have serioushealth and economic implications. The intake ofmilk and dairy products should not be discouragedglobally, and considerations in this articleshould be restricted to populations with a highcalcium intake.