Milk may have had its moment in time, in America at least, where dairy in the diet is on the decline.

According to new statistics by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) consumption of cow milk has dropped 25 per cent in the past 35-odd years.

In contrast, Aussies are asking for more milk, please.

Milk consumption has been rising steadily and in the past couple of years has increased sharply.

The average Aussie now drinks a whopping 107 litres of milk each a year - that's an overflowing bath-full of “nature's perfect food”.

This is despite similar rates of lactose intolerance in both countries. It affects around 20 per cent of the Caucasian and around 80 per cent of the asian population.

So why such a discrepancy in our drinking habits?

The USDA says the decline in America may be down to a generational shift where drinking a glass of milk with each meal is no longer commonplace.

As for us, Dairy Australia suggests our ever-expanding coffee culture may explain the increase in consumption.

Dietitian and spokeswoman for the Dietitian's Association of Australia (DAA), Melanie McGrice agrees. "Maybe it's because we have better coffee in Australia," she quips.

As a nation we're now drinking around five billion cups of coffee a year, which is a whole lot of lattes.

The use of bovine growth hormones, which artificially stimulates milk production in lactating cows and has been hugely controversial in the US, could be another aspect in the divergent drinking habits. It is used in the US but banned in Australia.

The use of these hormones, along with other ethical and health concerns, have been in the American spotlight in recent times.

"There are our nine million dairy cows, most of whom live tortured, miserable lives while making a significant contribution to greenhouse gases," wrote New York Times columnist and author of Food Matters, Mark Bitman, capturing one school of anti-dairy thought.

Augmenting ethical concerns are questions about the benefits of dairy.

According to Harvard's School of Public Health: "While calcium and dairy can lower the risk of osteoporosis and colon cancer, high intake can increase the risk of prostate cancer and possibly ovarian cancer.

"Plus, dairy products can be high in saturated fat as well as retinol [vitamin A], which at high levels can paradoxically weaken bones.

"A Harvard study from last year also challenged the rationale behind the recommended daily intake of dairy, suggesting that our calcium requirements were "likely overestimated" and said that "humans have no nutritional requirement for milk".

Perhaps as a result of all of this, there has been a surge in popularity of plant-based milk substitutes such as soy, almond, rice and oat milks.

This has been the case predominantly in the US, but Australia has also seen steady growth in these alternatives.

While there are pluses and minuses to every variety of milk-moustache, McGrice says the Dietitians Association still recommends two and a half serves of dairy a day.

Cow milk has a rich nutrient profile and the serving suggestion provides the recommended daily intake of calcium, she says.

There are other sources of calcium, but to get enough "people need to eat very, very large volumes of these foods", she says, like five cups of cooked broccoli or four tablespoons of tahini (which has the equivalent kilojoules to a bottle of wine).

Regardless of which option you choose, here's the juice on your milk:

Cow milk

It has a wide range of nutrients and is high in calcium, magnesium and phosphate, McGrice explains. It is also an excellent source of protein and vitamins D and K.

Recent studies have suggested that full-fat milk is as good, if not better, than skim. But, while reduced-fat milk is higher in lactose (milk sugar) than full fat it is also higher in protein and lower in fat and calories, so is still the DAA's recommended option.

As for the ethically minded, organic dairy products - using sustainable practices and made without pesticides or antibiotics - are a good option.

Cons: A poor choice for the lactose-intolerant and high in saturated fat.

Goat milk

"This is a really good choice," McGrice says. "It's naturally high in calcium and tends to be lower in fat than cow's milk."

It also has a wide range of nutrients, including essential amino acids, zinc and magnesium and is easier for some people to digest.

Cons: Goat milk also contains lactose, it can be hard to find and its distinctive taste is displeasing to some and not ideal in your latte.

Soy milk

It's a great tasting alternative in coffee and has the highest naturally occurring calcium of the plant-based milk substitutes.

Soy has proven effective in lowering cholesterol, is also lactose-free, low in saturated fat and contains isoflavones, an antioxidant that can be beneficial for women going through menopause, McGrice says.

Cons: It's relatively high in fat and we need to watch out for additives in all milk-substitutes such as sugar.

As well as this, McGrice says that women who have had breast cancer and young children need to be careful about how much they have because of soy's effect on oestrogen.

Oat milk

Oat milk is low in saturated fat, has no cholesterol and contains fibre. Its creamy taste makes it a good option for use in sweet treats.

Cons: Unlike the other options, it is not gluten-free, McGrice says. She also recommends looking for a brand fortified with calcium.

Almond milk

It is high in vitamins E and D, is lactose-free and has a rich, nutty flavour which makes it enjoyable to drink on its own. It also tends to have fewer calories than soy milk and contains no cholesterol. It's a good substitute in coffee.

Cons: It is low in protein, calcium has to be artificially added and many brands contain added sugar, McGrice warns.

Rice milk

Rice milk is a great option for people with food intolerances, McGrice says. "It's also really low in fat and and doesn't contain lactose," she says. It's best to use in sweet dishes.

Cons: Its thin consistency is a plus or minus depending on your tastes. It is also high in natural sugars but low in protein and other nutrients, unless they are added artificially.

Coconut milk

It doesn't contain lactose, has fats that are easier to digest than cow milk and many love the rich, creamy, slightly sweet taste. It is also low in cholesterol. It's a good alternative for sweet and savoury cooking.

Cons: It is high in saturated fat and low in calcium and protein.

smh.com.au