Growth and Development: ADSA - Mammary Development - The Role of Progenitor Cells and Nutritional Modulation on Lactation

Taste is the number one reason for selecting food, but interest in nutritional content and special health benefits is also important. Consumers respond positively to the taste of many dairy products, but perceptions of health benefits are not as positive as they could be, perhaps because of the strong association of dairy with high fat. An increasing number of consumers are aware that food can provide special health promoting nutrients. Both traditional nutrients, like calcium, and nutrient components of emerging importance, like probiotics, can increase the appeal of dairy foods. Consumers are aware that dairy products help protect against osteoporosis, and many recognize that they do not get enough calcium, however young and middle aged people incorrectly believed they do not have to guard against this disease until they were older. People are not aware of other benefits of dairy products, such as the potential protection provided by calcium against certain cancers and lowering of blood pressure. Furthermore, people have not heard that diets that include dairy result in faster weight loss. While yogurt is generally perceived as a healthy product, consumers are not aware of the numerous potential benefits that probiotic cultures may provide. Although parents expect children to consume dairy product, modeling this behavior by parents is lacking in many home. Label statements may help alert consumers to a fuller range of dairy advantages. Promotion programs that emphasize the number of servings needed at each stage in the life cycle would provide information not generally known by the public today.