Does Drinking Milk Make You Taller?

Yes, drinking milk may support reaching your height potential by providing key nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and protein that help build and maintain strong bones during childhood and adolescence. 

What Determines Height?

There’s no exact formula that impacts height. Instead, there are several factors that work together in ways scientists continue to study. A key determinant, however, is DNA—height is considered a complex trait, with thousands of genetic variants.

Beyond genetics, other aspects that affect our growth include hormones, medical conditions, sleep, physical activity, and of course—nutrition. 

Given the significant role genetics plays in setting a child's growth potential, nutrition and lifestyle factors help determine whether that potential is fully reached. Getting enough key nutrients during childhood and adolescence supports healthy growth patterns, especially  during periods of rapid development when bones and muscles are forming and lengthening. 

What Nutrients Help You Grow Taller?

Calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and protein are necessary for growing strong bones and bodies. Protein is a key nutrient for building muscle at any age. Milk is a good source of all of these important nutrients.   

How Much Milk Should You Drink?

Proper nutrition from early childhood into teen years is important, particularly during times of rapid growth. Getting the right amount of nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D for example, can help children and adolescents meet their full growth potential. This is crucial since peak bone mass is reached by age 20.  

To build strong bones, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends two to three servings of dairy foods (milk, cheese and yogurt) per day for children. Milk can be included in a variety of ways throughout the day, such as with meals, blended into smoothies, poured over cereal or paired with snacks. Using milk as a base for oatmeal, soups or sauces can also help increase intake while fitting naturally into familiar foods. Making milk a regular part of a healthy eating pattern can not only supports growth, but drinking milk during childhood can  also help build healthy habits for lifelong health.