Abstract
PurposePreviously, the nutritional contribution, environmental and financial costs of dairy products have been examined independently. Our aim was to determine the nutritional adequacy, financial cost and environmental impact of UK diets according to dairy content.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study of adults (19–64 years) from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey years 1–4 (n = 1655), dietary intakes assessed from 4-day estimated food diaries were organized into quartiles (Q) total grams of dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, dairy desserts) and analyzed using ANCOVA controlling for age, sex and energy intake with Bonferroni post hoc test for nutritional adequacy, Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010), environmental impact [greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), eutrophication and acidification potentials], financial cost, markers of health and cardio-metabolic diseases.ResultsNutritional adequacy, particularly for protein, calcium and iodine (+ 18 g, + 533 mg, + 95 g, respectively, all P < 0.0001) and AHEI-2010 (P < 0.0001) were significantly higher and systolic BP (− 2 mmHg, P = 0.019) was significantly lower for the higher-dairy diets (Q4, 274–1429 g/day dairy), compared with diets containing lower dairy (Q1, 0–96 g/day dairy). Diets in Q4 had lower financial cost (− 19%, P < 0.0001) and the greatest eutrophication potential, compared with Q1 (+ 29%, P < 0.0001). Yet the environmental (GHGE) and financial costs per unit nutrient (riboflavin, zinc, iodine, magnesium, calcium, potassium) were lower in Q4 than Q1 (all P < 0.0001).ConclusionDiets with the highest dairy content had higher nutrient composition, better diet quality, were associated with lower BP and financial cost, but with higher eutrophication potential. Robust environmental data for many of food groups are limitedand this needs an urgent addressing.Trial registrationThis trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03407248.
Highlights
Global population growth, which is estimated to rise to > 9 billion by 2050, is placing greater demand on the planet’s finite natural resources
The higher overall Alternative Healthy Index (AHEI) score of those consuming the higher dairy diets compared with the lower dairy diets suggests that consumption of dairy products is associated with a better overall diet quality
Few studies have investigated diets and diet quality associated with dairy intake in UK populations; studies conducted in Australian [33] and American [34] adults have found higher dairy intake to be associated with better overall diet quality
Summary
Global population growth, which is estimated to rise to > 9 billion by 2050, is placing greater demand on the planet’s finite natural resources. Estimates suggest that world food demand will increase at an average rate of 1.1% annually between and 2050 [1]. The environmental impact arises at all stages in the life cycle from the processes of agricultural production, processing, transport, storage, cooking, through to disposal of waste [2]. Estimates suggest that the food system contributes 19–29% of global GHGEs [3] and accounts for 70% of global freshwater use [4]. Dietary change along with efficiencies in food production and reductions in food waste is, an important strategy to reduce environmental impacts of the food system [5]
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