A recent study has found that regularly eating ‘live’ yogurt may reduce the likelihood of one form of colorectal cancer. Researchers from Mass General Brigham analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study and found that people who habitually consumed 2 or more servings of yogurt a week had a 20% lower rate of Bifidobacterium-positive bowel tumors.
The researchers suggest that the beneficial effects of yogurt may be due to its impact on the gut microbiome. “Endogenous bacterial species are of significant interest for their application in human health,” said Gemma Balmer-Kemp, PhD, Head of Research at Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Grand Challenges.
However, more work is needed to understand any causative role of Bifidobacterium and the mechanisms involved if so. The current study was observational, so the findings only show an association, not a causative relationship.
The researchers found that yogurt containing live bacteria may help strengthen the gut barrier and support Bifidobacterium’s beneficial role in suppressing tumor growth. Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist, noted that while there is no exact recommendation for how often to eat yogurt, incorporating a typical 1-cup serving into your diet a few times a week or daily could provide beneficial effects for the microbiome.
While live, natural yogurts are a good addition to a balanced diet, not all yogurt is created equal. Flavored and fruit yogurts often contain high quantities of added sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. Natural, live yogurts, on the other hand, contain plenty of nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12, protein, and essential fatty acids.
Overall, this new study suggests that reducing your risk of colorectal cancer could be one more reason to include yogurt in your diet. Just make sure it is live, natural yogurt to maximize the potential health benefits.
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-yogurt-help-protect-against-colorectal-cancer