Interaction Between Dairy and Gut Hormone Response on Cognitive Performance in Children.
This research is looking at healthy children aged 9 to 14 to understand if eating different types of milk and yogurt can temporarily improve their thinking skills. The study will test full-fat, low-fat, and fat-free versions of milk and yogurt, and also compare these to skipping a snack. Researchers want to see if the fat and protein in these dairy products affect 'gut hormones,' which are chemicals in your body that might then influence how your brain works. The main idea is that dairy might help children's learning, memory, attention, and other brain functions, especially the higher-fat options, compared to not having a snack, and that this link is made through gut hormones over a two-hour period.
At a glance
What is this study about?
You know how sometimes what you eat can affect how you feel or how well you concentrate? This study is looking into whether milk and yogurt can actually help children's brains work better. Specifically, they're interested in whether different types of dairy – like full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free milk and yogurt – can temporarily improve things like learning, memory, and attention in children aged 9 to 14. They're also comparing this to skipping a snack.
The researchers think that certain parts of dairy, like fats and proteins, might play a role in this. They believe these ingredients could interact with special chemicals in your gut, called 'gut hormones,' which then send messages to your brain. This connection is sometimes called the 'gut-brain axis.' So, they're hoping to understand if dairy consumption can give a boost to brain power through this gut-brain communication.
Ultimately, this research aims to give us a better understanding of how everyday foods like milk and yogurt might impact children's thinking skills. It could offer new insights into how diet affects brain function, especially in healthy children, and shed light on the science behind these effects.
Key takeaways
- The study explores how different milks and yogurts affect children's thinking skills.
- It aims to understand if 'gut hormones' link processed dairy intake to brain function.
- Healthy children aged 9-14 are eligible to participate.
- Participation involves multiple visits for tests and blood samples.
- The research helps us understand diet's impact on children's brain health.
Who may be eligible?
To be part of this study, children need to be between 9 and 14 years old. They also need to be at a healthy weight for their age and gender, meaning their weight is in a normal range as defined by health guidelines. We wouldn't be able to include children who are considered overweight or obese in this particular study.
It's also important that children don't have any known allergies or sensitivities to dairy, gluten, or any other foods that might be used in the study. We also can't include children who have been diagnosed with any learning difficulties, emotional problems, or behavioural conditions. Finally, if a child is taking any medication that could affect how their brain works, they wouldn't be able to join the study either, to make sure the results are clear.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Is your child between 9 and 14 years old?
- Is your child at a healthy weight for their age and gender?
- Does your child have any food allergies or sensitivities (especially to dairy or gluten)?
- Has your child been diagnosed with any learning difficulties or emotional/behavioural conditions?
- Is your child currently taking any medication that might affect their thinking or brain function?
What does participation involve?
If your child takes part, they will visit the study centre on several different mornings. On each visit, they will be given either a specific type of milk (full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free) or yogurt (full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free), or they will skip a snack. The order in which they receive these will be chosen randomly, so it's a bit like picking from a hat.
After having the drink or yogurt (or skipping the snack), children will complete various activities designed to test their thinking skills, like learning, memory, attention, and how quickly they can process information. At different times during the two hours after the drink/snack (at 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes), researchers will also take small blood samples to check blood sugar levels and measure those 'gut hormones' that are thought to link the gut to the brain. Children will also be asked about how they are feeling emotionally. Each visit will last about two hours, and the total duration will depend on how many different test treatments are involved for each child.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Toronto Metropolitan UniversityVerified postcodeToronto, Canada· Recruiting
Common questions
What will my child have to drink/eat in the study?
Your child will receive different types of milk (full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free) or yogurt (full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free) on different days. Sometimes, they will just skip a snack.
Will my child have to give blood?
Yes, small blood samples will be taken at different times during each visit to measure blood sugar and gut hormones. This helps researchers understand the body's response.
What kind of 'thinking tests' will my child do?
The tests will involve activities designed to check things like memory, attention, how quickly they can think, and problem-solving skills.
How long will each visit take?
Each visit to the study centre will last approximately two hours.
Can my child stop taking part if they want to?
Absolutely, yes. You or your child can decide to withdraw from the study at any point, for any reason, and it won't affect anything.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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