Health Ministry Emphasizes Importance of Milk in Diet

Low consumption of milk and dairy products has put calcium deficiency in  second place in nutrition deficiency ranking in Iran, said Zahra Abdollahi, director general of the Diet and Nutrition Promotion Office at the Health Ministry.

Milk has long been associated with good health, making it one of the most consumed beverages globally. It is rich in a range of nutrients highly needed for abled bodies. It is also a good source of calcium which is a mineral essential for healthy growth of bones and teeth, ISNA reported.  

“Based on a recent research on eating habits of Iranian households, the per capita daily milk consumption is currently 190gr which has not yet reached the desired level,” she said.

A diet low in milk and dairy products can have negative consequences on health like osteoporosis, malnutrition, reduced IQ, oral diseases, etc. “Therefore it is crucial to promote milk consumption and increase it to the global standard of 168 kg annually.

Per capita milk consumption in most countries is an indicator of cultural development, she said, adding that “while milk consumption is considered to be an affordable way to provide the necessary proteins the body requires to stay healthy, the amount of milk consumed and a family’s level of income are intertwined.”

The nutrition value of one liter of milk is more than 200gr of red meat, she was quoted as saying.