At the IDFA Dairy Forum in the United States, experts discussed the role of dairy products in addressing women’s health needs. According to Dairy Foods, the topic was presented by specialists from Dairy Management Inc. (DMI).

According to Eva Pollet, Senior Vice President of Strategic Intelligence at DMI, the food industry has historically underestimated the specific nutritional needs of women, despite the fact that women control roughly 75% of discretionary consumer spending. The broader market for products related to health and wellness is estimated at over $200 billion.

Sleep and Recovery

One of the key concerns for women is improving sleep quality. Pollet noted that women experience insomnia more frequently than men. Managing cortisol levels and consuming certain nutrients can support better sleep.

Experts highlighted several dairy products that may contribute to sleep support, including:

  • kefir
  • yogurt
  • milk

Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid associated with sleep regulation.

Weight Management and Protein

Weight management is another major focus area. According to DMI experts, dairy products have strong potential in this segment due to their high-quality protein content.

Milk protein can help:

  • reduce feelings of hunger
  • maintain stable blood sugar levels
  • support cardiovascular health

Products based on whey protein and collagen are also gaining popularity, particularly in functional beverages and dietary supplements.

Muscle Development

Research indicates that women aged 19–50 are three times more likely than men to consume insufficient protein on a daily basis. This can negatively affect the development and maintenance of muscle mass.

Among innovative solutions highlighted by experts are functional dairy beverages. For example, Lifeway Foods introduced Muscle Mates, a product containing:

  • 20 g of protein
  • 5 g of creatine
  • probiotic cultures

This formulation combines muscle support with digestive health benefits.

Bone Health

Bone health remains a major concern for many women. According to Pollet, 46% of women actively seek foods that support bone health.

Milk is considered a key source of bone-supporting nutrients, including:

  • calcium
  • phosphorus
  • high-quality protein

Kefir is also highlighted because it combines nutritional value with probiotic benefits.

Skin Health

Another emerging trend—especially among younger consumers—is skin health. Experts note that members of Gen Alpha (born between 2011 and 2024) discuss skin-related health topics five times more often than other age groups.

In this category, products containing collagen, prebiotics, and probiotics are gaining traction. One example is Probiotic Smoothie + Collagen by Lifeway Foods, which is based on kefir cultures.

Experts conclude that dairy products, thanks to their combination of protein, micronutrients, and probiotics, have strong potential to become an important component of foods designed to support women’s health and wellness.

Source: Dairy Foods