NSN Anambra Hosts Special Webinar to Mark World Milk Day
World Milk Day, observed annually on June 1st, celebrates milk as a vital global food and highlights the significance of the dairy industry. The event serves as a platform to raise public awareness about the nutritional benefits of milk and the role of the dairy sector in food security and economic development.
The 2025 celebration, observed globally on June 1st, focused on The Power of Dairy, as reflected in the year’s theme, emphasizing dairy’s role in nutrition, livelihood support, and economic growth.
To commemorate the occasion, the Anambra State Chapter of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) a professional non-governmental association comprising nutrition stakeholders in Nigeria—organized a special webinar under the leadership of its chairperson, Dr. Nneka Mefor, on Sunday, June 1st, 2025.
The seminar featured insightful lectures by experienced nutritionists, interactive discussions, and engaging question-and-answer sessions centered around “The Benefits of Dairy, Nutritional Power of Milk, and Plant-Based Milk Alternatives.”
During her lecture on “The Benefits of Dairy,”Dietitian Nnebe Nonyerem emphasized that dairy products—including milk, buttermilk, natural cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, ice cream, and yogurt—are rich in essential nutrients such as protein, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids, all of which contribute significantly to overall health.
She further highlighted that studies have demonstrated dairy consumption’s role in muscle building, blood pressure regulation, and the reduction of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) —commonly known as bad cholesterol—encouraging individuals to incorporate dairy into their diets for improved wellness.
In her presentation on “The Nutritional Power of Milk,” Ezenwaka Chioma Blessing described milk as a complete food, providing various essential nutrients in a single source, including all nine essential amino acids.
She elaborated on milk’s 13 key nutrients and its bioactive compounds, as well as its wide-ranging health benefits, which include:
- Supporting bone and dental health
- Enhancing muscle growth and recovery
- Aiding weight management, particularly through low-fat varieties
- Improving cholesterol levels
- Reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Enhancing eyesight
World Milk Day was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on June 1st, 2001, to recognize the global significance of milk and to celebrate the dairy industry’s contributions to health and nutrition worldwide.
