Interaction Between Dairy and Gut Hormone Response on Cognitive Performance in Children.

Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the short-term effects of milk and yogurt of varying fat and protein content on cognitive performance in healthy children aged 9 - 14 years; and to provide insight into mechanisms by which dairy consumption may affect cognitive performance through gastrointestinal (GI) hormone responses. The investigators hypothesize that the consumption of dairy products, specifically their protein and fat components, will improve cognitive performance via its interaction with the gut-brain axis in children. Furthermore, the investigators hypothesize that all milk and yogurt products will enhance cognitive performance over 120- mins compared to snack skipping through its interaction with GI hormones, with a greater effect in higher fat containing milk and yogurt products.

Conditions

• Children
• Healthy

Interventions

OTHER

Fat-Free Milk

Fat-free milk (500 mL, skim, 0%, Lactantia PurFiltre) will provide 180 kcal, 0.4 g fat, 26 g carbohydrate, and 18 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).

OTHER

Low-Fat Milk

Low-free milk (346 mL, 2%, Lactantia PurFiltre) will provide 180 kcal, 6.9 g fat, 16.6 g carbohydrate, and 12.5 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).

OTHER

Full-fat Milk

Full-free milk (281 mL, 3.25%, Lactantia PurFiltre) will provide 180 kcal, 9.0 g fat, 13.5 g carbohydrate, and 10.1 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).

OTHER

Snack Skipping

Snack skipping (no caloric contribution).

OTHER

Fat-Free Yogurt

Fat-free Yogurt (242.3 g, Oikos High Protein Vanilla; 0% MF) will provide 180 kcal, 0 g fat, 20.8 g carbohydrate, and 23.5 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).

OTHER

Low-Fat Yogurt

Low-fat Yogurt (210.0 g, Oikos Original 2% MF) will provide 180 kcal, 3.6 g fat, 21.6 g carbohydrate, and 15.6 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).

OTHER

Full-Fat Yogurt

Full-fat Yogurt (185.3 g, Oikos Extra Creamy Vanilla 9% MF) will provide 180 kcal, 15.9 g fat, 21.2 g carbohydrate, and 6.4 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Dairy Council

  collaborator OTHER

• Dairy Management Inc.

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Toronto Metropolitan University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Nick Bellissimo, PhD · Toronto Metropolitan University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

9 Years

Max Age

14 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-15

Primary Completion

2027-10-31

Completion

2027-10-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations