A recent study led by Mass General Brigham researchers suggests that yogurt may have protective benefits against colon cancer, particularly among young people.
The study analyzed data from over 150,000 participants who answered questionnaires about their lifestyle and diet. Researchers found that those who consumed two or more servings of plain or flavored yogurt per week had lower rates of proximal colon cancer – a type of aggressive colon cancer on the right side of the colon.
Proximal colon cancer has worse survival outcomes compared to distal cancers, which occur on the left side of the colon. The study’s findings imply that the protective effect of yogurt may be specific to Bifidobacterium-positive tumors.
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women, with nearly 53,000 expected to die from it in 2025. However, death rates have been declining among older adults, while increasing by 1% per year since the mid-2000s among those under 55.
The new research adds to evidence linking diet and gut microbiome to colorectal cancer risk. It provides an opportunity to investigate the role of these factors in the risk of colon cancer among young people.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/02/12/colon-cancer-yogurt-gut-health/78467847007