The food matrix — the emerging concept of looking at the whole food’s nutrient and non-nutrient components and their molecular relationships — presents exciting opportunities for dairy.
The food matrix comprises nutritional and physical aspects, which work together to affect nutrient digestion, absorption and metabolism. It’s like having every part of an orchestra playing together and in harmony. This comprehensive context can better reflect a food’s true nutritional value and health benefits. This complex interplay also may explain why nutrient supplements don’t always impart the same benefits on chronic disease risk as to the foods in which they’re found.