The proposed study will examine whether eating yogurt every day can improve brain and gut health in children. Prior research suggests that yogurt may support cognitive functions like self-control, but more studies are needed to confirm this. The study will follow 60 children from Central Pennsylvania, ages 8 to 10, who will be randomly assigned to drink either fruit juice (control group) or yogurt smoothies once or twice a day for four weeks. Researchers will compare how different amounts of yogurt affect children's thinking skills (like memory and focus), brain activity, and gut bacteria. These changes will be measured through brain scans, computer-based thinking tasks, surveys, and stool samples. The study will also collect information about children's overall diet. The goal is to find out if yogurt can support healthy brain and gut development and to determine the right amount to include in a child's daily diet. Results will help guide future research on how nutrition supports children's health.
Age range
7 Years – 9 Years
Sex
ALL
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Cognitive and Brain Responses to Yogurt Smoothie Intake
Timeframe: Baseline and up to average of 4 weeks
Prefrontal Cortex Activation During Working Memory After Yogurt Smoothie Intake
Timeframe: Baseline and up to average of 4 weeks
Gut Microbiome and Executive Function Responses
Timeframe: Baseline and up to average of 4 weeks
Prefrontal Cortex Activation During Working Memory After Yogurt Smoothie Intake
Timeframe: Baseline and up to average of 4 weeks