Nutrition

The Role of Milk and Dairy Foods in Adolescent Health

Adolescence represents a critical window of opportunity for nutrition interventions, as this period is marked by rapid growth and development alongside the development of lifelong dietary patterns. Milk and dairy products offer a unique combination of bioavailable nutrients essential for adolescent health, including calcium, high-quality protein, and micronutrients that support bone development, muscle growth, cognitive function and immune health. Despite the proven benefits, dairy intake among South African adolescents remains low, contributing to inadequate calcium intake and increased risk for poor health outcomes. This review explores the role of milk and dairy foods in supporting healthy dietary patterns during adolescence, focusing on their nutritional composition, contribution to bone and muscle development, impact on weight regulation and body composition, and potential cognitive benefits. Practical recommendations are provided to promote adequate intake, with emphasis on dairy’s nutrient density and alignment with national dietary guidelines. Ensuring access to and regular consumption of milk and other dairy foods may help bridge nutrient gaps and support long-term health and well-being among adolescents in South Africa.

Modern Medicine – Issue 5, 2025

Iron Micro Particles Improve Digestibility

Iron deficiency is one of the most important nutritional disorders, and can cause health problems. Food fortification with minerals often induces unacceptable organoleptic changes during the preparation process and storage, has low bioavailability and solubility, and is expensive. Micro particle surface modification to obtain novel characteristics can be a useful tool to overcome these problems.

Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023

Busting the Dairy Myths – MM1705

Ongoing confusion and misinformation about dairy are hampering the important contribution it makes to the nutritional quality of the South African diet. That is the view of private practising dietitian Dr Tuschka Reynders, at a dieticians seminar, titled “Go with Your Gut.”

Modern Medicine – May 2017