These days, a press release for a plant-based dairy alternative is almost as likely to hit my email inbox as one for a genuine dairy product.

Research linking dairy foods with reduced risk of disease has continued to grow over the past decade, including in the area of cardiometabolic health. So what exactly does this mean?

Demand for protein on the part of consumers continues to be strong. According to the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI), Elmhurst, Ill., 68% of Americans surveyed in 2017 said they wanted to consume more protein, compared to 50% in 2016.

People are interested in foods that can decrease inflammation. According to consumer insights from The Hartman Group, Bellevue, Wash., contemporary diets are personalized and all about balance, wellness and energy. This includes a consumer desire for diets that reduce inflammation.

As consumers worldwide look for ways to increase their protein intake throughout the day, multinational food and beverage companies are looking to diversify sourcing. Selecting a single protein source has advantages.

Since National Dairy Council’s inception over a century ago, the body of research linking dairy foods with reduced risk of disease has continued to grow.

A few years back, my family physician recommended that I be tested for bone mineral density and start taking a calcium supplement. I explained that I got my calcium from dairy and had great bones.

In mid-September, I received a press release that caught my eye, but definitely not in a positive way. The release announced the official launch of the Switch4Good anti-dairy coalition.