In a comprehensive review published in Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers report that yogurt’s benefits for adult bone health may be far less significant than commonly believed.
Although yogurt is often praised for its rich nutritional profile containing calcium, protein, and essential vitamins, the new analysis suggests that its real-world impact on bone strength is minimal. The authors emphasize the need for well controlled clinical trials using standardized yogurt formulations to better understand its effects on skeletal health.
Yogurt, produced by fermenting milk with Lactobacillus delbrueckii bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, has long been considered a functional food due to its bioactive compounds and improved nutrient absorption compared with milk. Nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and vitamin K are known to play key roles in maintaining bone density and preventing fragility fractures, especially in older adults.
However, despite these theoretical advantages, evidence linking yogurt consumption to stronger bones remains inconsistent. To explore the association more closely, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between 1970 and 2024. The analysis included data from 14 observational studies involving adult populations, including postmenopausal women, and assessed outcomes such as bone mineral density (BMD), bone biomarkers, and fracture risk.
While a few studies reported that frequent yogurt consumers showed slightly higher femoral neck BMD or lower osteoporosis risk, most findings were neutral. When the data were pooled, no significant association emerged between yogurt intake and reduced hip fracture risk. Although the observed increase in femoral BMD among yogurt consumers reached statistical significance, it was considered clinically negligible (SMD ≈ 0.009).
The review also highlighted several limitations, including the lack of randomized controlled trials, low certainty of evidence, and incomplete reporting on yogurt characteristics such as fat content, fortification, and live bacterial cultures. These gaps make it difficult to determine whether certain yogurt formulations or probiotic strains have meaningful effects on bone health.
While earlier observational studies have suggested that regular yogurt consumers may have better bone health, researchers caution that such findings could reflect an overall healthier diet and lifestyle rather than a direct effect of yogurt. Additionally, many commercial yogurts contain added sugars and saturated fats that may offset potential benefits. Differences in vitamin D fortification, dietary habits, and the availability of plant-based alternatives further complicate conclusions.
The current systematic review concludes that while yogurt remains a nutritious component of the diet, particularly for individuals with low calcium intake or lactose intolerance, current evidence does not support its use as an effective intervention for improving bone density or preventing fractures in adults. The authors call for future randomized controlled trials using well defined yogurt formulations in at risk populations to clarify its true impact on skeletal health.
References
- Mayo B, Malagón-Rojas J, Agahi F, Frias J, Künili İE, Kütt ML, Mardon J, Nikolovska Nedelkoska D, Parada MA, Torbica A, Bulmuş-Tüccar T, Yilmaz B, Bär C, Harsa HS, Chassard C, Praćer S, Vergères G, Tamang JP. Impact of yogurt consumption on bone health markers in adults with or without osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Nutr. 2025 Sep 30;12:1660505.
- Li, B., Ye, L., Zhao, Y. et al. A comprehensive review of probiotic yogurt: nutritional modulation, flavor improvement, health benefits, and advances in processing techniques. Agric. Prod. Process. Sto. 1, 17 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44462-025-00023-7