Happy Dairy Month! Many people recall the slogan “Milk, it does a body good.” But as different health fads have emerged since that slogan was first uttered, including an increased availability of dairy alternatives, dairy has been somewhat pushed aside, leaving many people to question if it is a friend or foe.

According to Vasanti Malik, a nutrition research scientist with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, dairy isn’t necessary for maintaining optimal health for humans. However, it is one of the best and easiest ways to get ample amounts of vitamin D, protein and calcium,...