Nutrition myth buster: Are dairy foods really responsible for inflammation?
This article examines the common health claim that dairy products cause inflammation in the body. It clarifies the difference between acute and chronic inflammation and notes that scientific evidence generally does not support the idea that dairy is a primary driver of inflammation in healthy individuals.
Why it matters
Distinguishing between health myths and scientific consensus is crucial for public health and informed dietary choices.
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Some say dairy causes inflammation, contributes to skin conditions such as acne, and leads to gut issues or bloating. Are they right? Photo / Getty Images
As well as Jennifer Bowden’s columns in the NZ Listener, listener.co.nz subscribers can access her fortnightly m yth busters column which explore food and nutrition myths.
A mong the many foods deemed “suspicious” by online commentators, dairy occupies a particular place. It is said to “cause inflammation”, contribute to skin conditions such as acne, and lead to gut issues or bloating. The message is simple and increasingly familiar: what was once a dietary staple is now framed as something our bodies struggle to tolerate.
But behind these claims lies a more complicated question: does dairy cause inflammation and should we avoid it?
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