How different milk and yogurt types affect thinking and mood in kids
Official title: Interaction Between Milk and Yogurt and Gastrointestinal Hormone Response on Cognitive Performance in School-Aged Children
Run by Toronto Metropolitan University · NCT07231146 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will test whether drinking milk or eating yogurt with different fat and protein levels helps thinking, attention, and mood in healthy 9–14-year-olds over two hours.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 9 Years to 14 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Toronto Metropolitan University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Toronto, Ontario) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 15, 2025 |
| Main results expected | October 2027 |
| Study ends | October 2027 |
| Registry record updated | December 9, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07231146 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy children aged 9 to 14 years with normal weight (5th–85th percentile) who have no dairy or relevant food allergies, no diagnosed learning/emotional/behavioral disabilities, and are not taking medications that affect cognition are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Children who are overweight or obese, have dairy or gluten allergies, have diagnosed learning/emotional/behavioral disabilities, or take medications that influence cognitive performance are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will run a randomized, within-subject experiment where each child completes two sets of sessions: one with milk test treatments and one with yogurt test treatments. On separate mornings in random order children will consume full-fat, low-fat, no-fat, or skip the snack, and cognitive tests plus blood glucose and gastrointestinal hormone measures will be taken at 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes. Cognitive domains assessed include learning and memory, spatial working memory, attention, processing speed, and executive function, alongside subjective emotion ratings. The design aims to link short-term cognitive changes to gut-hormone responses after dairy intake.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could show that certain milk or yogurt compositions briefly boost attention, memory, or mood in school-age children and inform simple dietary choices for better classroom performance.
How similar studies have gone: Some adult studies have shown short-term cognitive effects of meals and links to gut hormones, but this specific randomized within-subject dairy-focused approach in children is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 9 to 14 years of age; * Normal weight is defined as being between the 5th and 85th percentile for age and biological sex at birth according to the Centers for Disease Control growth reference charts Exclusion Criteria: * Children with overweight/ obesity; * Children with food sensitivities or allergies to dairy, gluten or any foods used in the study; * Children with any diagnosed learning, emotional, or behavioural disabilities; * Children taking any medications that may influence cognitive performance.
Where it's running
-
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Nick Bellissimo, PhD — Toronto Metropolitan University
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.