Effects of Increased Greek Yogurt Consumption in Youth and Young Adult Athletes

Physical activity and dairy consumption during growth and development are each known to improve peak bone mass in young adults. Peak bone mass, the maximum amount of bone a person will have in their lifetime, is typically reached in the early 20's in females and late 20's in males. However, evidence suggests that young people do not consume enough dairy to maximize their bone mass. The resulting effect in peak bone mass can be troublesome, particularly for athletes, such as volleyball players. This study aims to determine whether increased dairy consumption combined with training can have an additive effect on the physiology of young competitive athletes. Specifically, we will examine whether Greek yogurt consumption will lead to beneficial changes in bone metabolism and inflammation, in adolescent and young adult, male and female athletes, similar to those observed with whey protein supplementation. Many athletes choose exclusively protein supplementation and miss out on other nutrients vital for healthy growth and development. By examining the benefits of Greek yogurt across different athlete age groups and sexes, this work will help reshape the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours surrounding diet of young athletes.