While classified as a type of dairy product, it is not synonymous with dairy products.
First, let's clarify what dairy beverages are. Dairy beverages refer to liquid drinks made primarily from cow's or goat's milk, processed through steps such as formulation, sterilization, and bottling. The most common dairy beverages include lactic acid bacteria drinks, pure milk, yogurt, and cheese.
However, although dairy beverages use milk as a raw material, they are not the same as dairy products. Dairy products generally refer to various foods obtained through processing milk, including both solid and liquid dairy products. For example, yogurt, cheese, whipped cream, milk powder, and milk candy all fall under the category of dairy products. These dairy products may employ different processes and ingredients during production, giving them unique tastes and nutritional value.
Furthermore, compared to dairy beverages, dairy products often contain higher levels of nutrients such as protein, fat, and calcium. For example, 100 ml of whole milk contains approximately 3.2 grams of protein, 3.4 grams of fat, and 120 milligrams of calcium, while 100 ml of lactic acid bacteria beverage contains approximately 0.7 grams of protein, 0.2 grams of fat, and 80 milligrams of calcium. Therefore, although dairy beverages are beneficial to health, they cannot completely replace the nutritional role of dairy products.