Report on Dairy Consumption and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Contextualizing Dairy in Global Health and Sustainability

An extensive scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses has synthesized the evidence on dairy consumption’s impact on major health outcomes. This report evaluates these findings through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), with additional relevance to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The evidence provides critical insights for developing public health nutrition guidelines aimed at reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), a key target of SDG 3.

Review Methodology

Scope and Framework

The analysis is based on a scoping review published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which systematically mapped evidence from 2014 to February 2024. The review’s parameters were as follows:

• Source Material: 95 systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses from Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, and World Cancer Research Fund reports.
• Study Population: Primarily adult populations.
• Dietary Exposures: Total dairy, milk, cheese, yogurt, and fermented dairy products derived from cow’s milk.
• Health Outcomes: A broad range of NCDs and health markers, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), various cancers, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), mortality, and body composition.

Methodological Limitations

The report acknowledges several limitations that temper the conclusions and highlight areas for future research:

• Overlapping Data: Many of the reviewed studies included overlapping primary populations, which may inflate the strength of some observed associations.
• Data Stratification: Only half of the reports stratified results by sex, limiting insights into potential differences in health outcomes between men and women.
• Product Definitions: A lack of standardized definitions for dairy products across studies complicates direct comparisons.
• Regional Differences: Most studies did not account for regional variations in farming practices or mandatory vitamin D fortification, factors relevant to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Key Findings and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Overall Health Impact and Contribution to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

The review mapped 281 distinct associations between dairy consumption and 29 health outcomes. The findings demonstrate that dairy intake is predominantly neutral or beneficial, directly supporting SDG Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment.

1. Reduced Risk: 37.7% of associations indicated a protective effect.
2. No Association: 48.0% of associations were neutral.
3. Inconclusive: 10.0% of associations were inconclusive.
4. Increased Risk: 4.3% of associations suggested an increased risk, primarily related to specific cancers (e.g., prostate, ovarian) and warranting further investigation.

Product-Specific Associations and Nutritional Contributions (SDG 2 & SDG 3)

The evidence varies by dairy product type, offering nuanced guidance for promoting improved nutrition (SDG 2) and healthy lives (SDG 3).

Total Dairy and Milk

• Associations with CVD, CHD, stroke, and hypertension were mostly neutral or protective.
• Linked to a reduced risk of colorectal, bladder, and oral cancers.
• Results were inconclusive or suggested potential increased risk for prostate, breast, and liver cancers, indicating a need for cautious public health messaging.

Cheese

• Findings were heterogeneous, with several reports linking cheese to a lower incidence of CVD and certain cancers.
• Notably, despite high saturated fat and sodium content, cheese was not consistently associated with an increased risk of heart disease, challenging conventional dietary assumptions.

Yogurt and Fermented Dairy

• These products demonstrated the most consistent and positive health associations, strongly aligning with goals for improved nutrition and well-being.
• No associations suggesting harm were identified for yogurt.
• Consumption was linked to a reduced risk of T2DM, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and several cancers (bladder, breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver).
• These findings present an actionable strategy for dietary interventions aimed at achieving SDG 3.

Considerations for Responsible Consumption (SDG 12)

The review provides data that can inform consumers and promote sustainable consumption patterns, as outlined in SDG 12. Sub-analyses comparing full-fat and reduced-fat dairy found no consistent evidence of harm from full-fat products; both were linked to inverse associations for several cardiovascular outcomes. This finding empowers consumers to make informed choices (SDG Target 12.8) based on comprehensive evidence rather than fat content alone. The noted lack of data on production methods and fortification highlights a critical gap in aligning dietary advice with sustainable production systems.

Conclusion and Recommendations for Public Health Policy

Summary of Evidence

The comprehensive evidence map indicates that general dairy consumption is neutral or modestly protective against major NCDs. Yogurt and other fermented dairy products emerge as particularly beneficial, showing consistent associations with lower risks for a range of critical health outcomes. This evidence is fundamental for shaping dietary guidelines that effectively support the achievement of SDG 3.

Future Research Directives

To strengthen the evidence base for SDG-aligned public health policies, future research should prioritize the following:

• Develop standardized definitions for dairy products to ensure comparability across studies.
• Conduct more granular, product-specific analyses, with a particular focus on the mechanisms behind the benefits of fermented dairy.
• Clarify the differential health impacts of fat content across various dairy matrices.
• Integrate data on regional production systems, farming practices, and fortification status to provide a holistic view that supports both SDG 3 and SDG 12.
• Improve dietary assessment methodologies to enhance the reliability of data informing nutritional guidelines.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This goal is relevant because the article discusses the nutritional role of dairy products. It mentions that “Two to three dairy servings a day are commonly recommended to meet protein and micronutrient needs, yet many people fall short.” This directly connects to the goal of ending malnutrition and ensuring access to nutritious food by highlighting a gap in meeting dietary recommendations and providing evidence to inform better nutritional guidance.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This is the primary SDG addressed in the article. The entire study is a “scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses” focused on the “association between dairy intake and multiple health outcomes.” It extensively discusses the impact of dairy consumption on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, various cancers, and type 2 diabetes, which is a core component of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition

   This target aims to end all forms of malnutrition and address the nutritional needs of all people. The article connects to this by examining how dairy products, a key component of many dietary guidelines, contribute to meeting “protein and micronutrient needs.” The research aims to provide clarity on which dairy products are most beneficial, which can help in formulating public health advice to better address nutritional gaps and combat malnutrition.

2. Target 3.4: Reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

   This target is directly addressed by the article’s central theme. The research evaluates how dairy consumption is associated with the risk of major NCDs. The findings, such as yogurt being linked to a “reduced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality,” provide evidence for dietary prevention strategies. The article analyzes the risk of “cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), cancers (e.g., bladder, breast, colorectal, ovarian, prostate, gastric), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM),” all of which are central to Target 3.4.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 2.2:

  The article implies an indicator related to nutritional intake. While it doesn’t provide specific data, the statement that “many people fall short” of the recommended “two to three dairy servings a day” points to the prevalence of inadequate intake of key food groups or nutrients as a measurable indicator of malnutrition. The study’s conclusions can help refine dietary guidelines to improve this indicator.

• For Target 3.4:

  The article explicitly refers to several indicators used to measure the burden of NCDs. These are the primary outcomes measured in the studies reviewed. Progress towards Target 3.4 can be measured by tracking:

  • Mortality rates from specific NCDs: The article mentions “all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.”
  • Incidence/risk of specific NCDs: The study maps associations for a wide range of diseases, including:
    • Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
    • Stroke
    • Hypertension
    • Coronary heart disease (CHD)
    • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
    • Various cancers (bladder, breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, oral, ovarian, prostate, gastric, non-Hodgkin lymphoma)

  These are direct measures of the health outcomes that prevention strategies, such as the dietary choices discussed in the article, aim to improve.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news-medical.net