The researchers carried out the study at six schools in the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division – two in rural areas and four in urban areas - over 12 weeks.

Students’ milk consumption was measured over the 12 weeks, with both plain and chocolate milk provided in the first and third set of four weeks (phase one and three), while only plain milk was provided in the second set of four weeks (phase two).

The University of Saskatchewan found that average milk consumption was highest in phase three, when both plain and chocolate milk was available.

By contrast, average milk consumption was at its lowest in phase two, when only plain milk was on offer.

On the whole, total consumption of milk decreased by 41 per cent when chocolate milk was not available, the study said.

However, the study also noted that rural students drank significantly more milk than urban students across all three phases. Urban students were also found to waste more of the milk they purchased.

The study concluded by saying, “while some schools may limit access to flavoured milk presumably because of concerns that these beverages provide unhealthy levels of added sugars and fat, our study showed that when chocolate milk was removed the number of students choosing milk reduced by 41 per cent. Additionally, of the students who chose plain milk there was a greater amount of milk wasted. Given children’s preferential intake of chocolate milk, further studies into whether children will accept lower sugar formulations need to be investigated.”

The results reflect previous studies on this subject carried out in the United States of America which have concluded that the inclusion of flavoured milk in the diets of young children improves nutrient intakes.