A new study published in the journal Gut Microbes has found that consuming yoghurt regularly may reduce the risk of bowel cancer by altering the body’s gut bacteria. The research, which involved over 150,000 participants, discovered a “compelling association” between yoghurt intake and lower rates of colorectal cancer.
Experts say that poor diet, obesity, and lack of exercise are increasing incidence rates of bowel cancer among young people. However, incorporating yoghurt into daily diets may strengthen the body’s defenses against colorectal cancer by fostering a diverse gut microbiome.
The study found that people who consumed two or more servings of yoghurt weekly had a 20% lower incidence of Bifidobacterium-positive proximal colon cancer, a notable type of colorectal cancer. Researchers believe that long-term yoghurt intake may have an antitumor effect on specific tumour subgroups.
While the findings suggest that yoghurt is not just a healthy food but a potential intervention point in preventing cancer, researchers cautioned against drawing hasty conclusions and called for further studies to understand how the presence of specific bacteria might influence cancer development.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/bowel-cancer-risk-reduction-yoghurt-b2697487.html