Global perspectives on nutritional knowledge of bovine milk as a mineral source

Reducing milk consumption has the potential to negatively impact dietary mineral intake, and it is important to understand people's knowledge of milk's nutritional contribution to help them make informed decisions. This international study assessed consumer knowledge of milk as a dietary source of energy, nutrients, and minerals (i.e., Ca, P, K, Mg, Fe, and I), and how that knowledge differed based on whether the survey respondents were milk consumers. A questionnaire was developed using a 7-point Likert scale, with questions assessing the respondents' perception of milk as a source of energy, nutrients, and minerals, as well as ancillary information on their sociodemographic data and milk consumption habits. Answers to the questionnaire were analyzed using a multiple regression fixed effects model, which included consumers class (i.e., Consumers of milk versus Non-consumers of milk), geographical area, educational status, gender, age, as well as a series of 2-way interactions of these effects with milk consumption class. The sample, comprising both milk consumers (84.6%) and non-consumers of milk (15.4%), consisted of 4,700 respondents from 16 countries recruited through convenience sampling. Sociodemographic characteristics were similar between milk consumers and non-consumers; the sample was predominantly young (Consumers, 55%; Non-consumers, 54%), women (Consumers, 63%; Non-consumers, 70%), and university qualifications educated (Consumers, 61%; Non-consumers, 65%). Results revealed that milk consumers demonstrated slightly greater awareness of milk as an energy source compared with non-consumers, though differences were modest. Respondents' knowledge of milk as a source of energy, nutrients, and minerals also differed by geographical regions and educational status. Overall, respondents believed there was a strong association between calcium and milk, but awareness of the other minerals questioned (i.e., magnesium, potassium, phosphorus) was close to zero, indicating neutrality or possible uncertainty. In conclusion, this survey demonstrates that consumers of milk are more informed about milk as a source of energy; however, respondents' awareness of milk as a source of important minerals, other than calcium, is lacking. These results highlight a general gap in knowledge about critical health-related components in milk, and underscore the need for targeted educational campaigns to promote milk as a mineral-rich dietary source that supports informed nutritional choices.