NEW YORK, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Christopher J. Cifelli, senior vice president of nutrition research at the U.S. National Dairy Council, has stressed the role of dairy foods for supporting healthy and sustainable eating patterns, reported USA Today on Monday.

"Most people, when they think of milk and dairy foods, think of calcium and vitamin D for strong bones. But dairy is so much more than that," said Cifelli, who has researched the topic for over a decade. In fact, dairy foods, such as milk, yogurt and kefir, can help promote gut health.

Fermented dairy foods, such as yogurt and kefir, have live microbes that help maintain a healthy gut microbiota. These beneficial bacteria support digestion and immunity, which keep the body healthy and strong, according to the doctor.

"One of the frustrating things as a nutrition scientist is that sometimes people, whether it be influencers or doctors who don't really understand the science, recommend cutting out dairy if you have gastrointestinal distress," Cifelli said. "It should be the opposite. Dairy can be a helpful part of the solution, not the problem."

Your gut is home to the largest immune system organ in the body: the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. A balance of eating plant-based foods and dairy for good gut health allows the body to fully absorb and benefit from key nutrients, said the report.

"Milk, cheese and yogurt are good sources of nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin D, protein, zinc and selenium, all of which are linked to immune function," Cifelli noted. "Yogurt has been shown to help keep the bad stuff out and let the good stuff in." Enditem

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