The effect of Greek yogurt consumption on bone metabolism and inflammation in young adult athletes

Project Overview

Physical activity and dairy consumption during growth and development are each known to improve peak bone mass in young adults. This study will investigate whether increased dairy consumption combined with high-impact physical activity can have an additive effect on the physiology of young athletes. The researchers will examine whether Greek yogurt consumption will lead to changes in bone metabolism and inflammation in adolescent and young adult athletes, like those observed with whey protein supplementation. This will help support dairy products in the sport nutrition market.

What Will the Research Team Do?

The research team will investigate the beneficial bone health effects of Greek yogurt in youth and young adult athletes. A total of 40 club athletes (age 15-16 years) and 40 varsity athletes (age 17-22 years) will participate in the 24-week randomized controlled experiment.

The objectives of this project are to:

• Determine the effects of increased Greek yogurt consumption, which contains mostly casein protein, on circulating markers of bone metabolism and inflammation, and whether these effects differ from those of whey protein supplementation.
• Determine whether differences in age and sex affect the physiological responses to Greek yogurt consumption and whey protein supplementation.