For decades, dairy farmers have believed in the value of whole milk, and thanks to your checkoff investment, National Dairy Council (NDC) is leading the science to prove it.
What began more than 100 years ago with groundbreaking research on vitamin D and bone health has grown into a world-class scientific program. Today, NDC’s work spans from heart health to emotional well-being – and we’ve made whole milk a central focus along the way.
Our nutrition research program funds 30 to 40 studies every year and publishes around 25 research articles annually, all with the goal of strengthening dairy’s place in the modern diet.
Over the past two decades, more than 80 studies have focused on whole milk and whole-milk dairy foods. These findings are reviewed by third-party scientists, published in credible journals and shared with researchers, health professionals and thought leaders nationwide.
What we have learned is, the evidence is clear: Whole milk and whole-milk dairy foods can fit into a healthy diet – with milk, cheese and yogurt at all fat levels being linked to reduced risk of diet-related diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
We are even learning more about other dairy favorites, like butter. For example, a recent NDC-funded study found that eating about a teaspoon of butter daily was linked to a lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
While health authorities have long recommended limiting saturated fat, science suggests dairy fat may be different. It is complex and unique, containing more than 400 distinct fatty acids. One of the most abundant is oleic acid – the same monounsaturated fat found in heart-healthy olive oil.
What makes dairy fat interesting is how it is naturally packaged. The milkfat globule membrane – a structure unique to dairy – helps the body absorb nutrients in a way that does not seem to be linked to raising LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol.
This complexity draws scientific interest and is why the checkoff continues to make it a research priority.
My NDC colleague, Dr. Moises Torres-Gonzalez, has led our full-fat dairy research program for more than a decade. He and our team are passionate about understanding how these bioactive components in dairy fat contribute to overall health. From cardiovascular benefits to gut health and satiety (lack of hunger after eating), we are uncovering how full-fat dairy supports wellness at every stage of life.
This growing body of work is doing more than challenging assumptions – it is helping shift the conversation. Scientists are now calling for a reevaluation of dairy fat in the context of modern nutrition science.
But doing the research is only part of the job. Making sure it is heard and understood is just as important.
That is why we do not just publish studies and move on. Our team presents findings at major conferences like the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting. We lecture at top-tier universities and work with health and wellness professionals across the country. We make sure your checkoff-funded research does not just sit on a shelf – it is informing real conversations and broadening perspectives.
When I joined NDC 17 years ago, talking about whole-milk dairy drew a lukewarm reception. But today, I see more openness, more head nods and even top academics questioning whether previous dairy fat recommendations need a second look. That shift did not happen by chance – it happened because of your checkoff’s commitment to funding credible, relevant science and sharing it where it matters most.
None of this progress would be possible without our remarkable NDC team. With five Ph.D.-level scientists who have 60-plus cumulative years of experience working for the checkoff, we have built one of the most respected nutrition science teams in the food industry. That is thanks to the long-term investment farmers have made in doing science with integrity, transparency and impact.
And we are not slowing down. We now are exploring how whole-milk dairy foods may support weight management, particularly in people using appetite-suppressing medications. These foods do not just deliver essential nutrients; they help promote satiety, which could support long-term health goals in a rapidly changing landscape.
At NDC, we believe deeply in the power of dairy foods to be part of real solutions to today’s health challenges, and we do not take that responsibility lightly.
Whole-milk dairy will continue to be a core part of our research story. And thanks to your checkoff support, we are making sure it stays front and center in the science – where it belongs.
This column was written by Dr. Chris Cifelli, senior vice president of nutrition research for National Dairy Council. To learn more about your national dairy checkoff, visit DairyCheckoff.com or if you have questions, send us an email.
