Yogurt (Plain) for Bone Health

Research suggests a modest but mixed picture for yogurt and bone health, with the strongest signals coming from studies on vitamin D-fortified versions rather than plain yogurt consumed on its own. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that fortified dairy foods, including yogurts, were associated with reductions in markers of bone resorption and lower parathyroid hormone levels in postmenopausal women, though evidence for stimulating new bone formation was not convincing. A supporting randomized controlled trial similarly found that vitamin D-fortified yogurt was linked to improvements in a marker of bone breakdown, while a pilot case-control study from India identified general dairy consumption as associated with lower hip fracture risk, though that study relied on self-reported dietary data and cannot establish causation. Overall, the available evidence — which includes randomized trials, a systematic review, and observational data — suggests that yogurt may contribute to bone health, particularly when fortified with vitamin D and calcium, but the findings are preliminary and the benefits appear to be more about slowing bone loss than actively building bone.