Yogurt, beloved by both children and adults, is considered a superfood because it contains an abundance of nutrients essential for your body.
It is an excellent source of protein and calcium, and contains B vitamins, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. It is packed with beneficial bacteria that help ease digestion. When combined with vegetables like broccoli, it creates a healthy combination that may even protect against cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women worldwide. In addition to genetic predisposition and low physical activity, scientists have long pointed out that improper diet can significantly contribute to its development.
A study by Frontiers in Nutrition showed that yogurt consumption reduces the risk of this type of cancer. There are several theories about how yogurt contributes to reducing the risk. One theory suggests that compounds produced by probiotic bacteria in yogurt may prevent tumor formation. Another theory proposes that these bacteria may reduce the activity of certain enzymes in the intestine.
However, the authors note that further studies are necessary to confirm how yogurt actually protects against cancer. Nevertheless, scientists recommend including yogurt as part of a regular diet if you want to reduce your risk of developing cancer.
Cancer is not the only disease against which yogurt can help protect you. A study conducted by Harvard Public School of Health found that increased yogurt consumption reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. No similar effects were observed with other dairy products.
Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology, told Forbes, “The mechanisms behind this finding are not well understood at this moment. One hypothesis is that probiotics in yogurt may help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation. However, this hypothesis needs to be verified in further clinical studies.“
Yogurt is beneficial not only for physical health but also for mental well-being.
There is evidence that the live bacteria in yogurt can improve your mood. A 2017 study conducted on mice showed that this phenomenon might be due to lactobacilli—a group of probiotics found in yogurt.
Scientists discovered that a reduction in lactobacillus levels in the gut increases levels of kynurenine, a blood metabolite that significantly affects mental health. Increased production of kynurenine can induce depressive states, while reduced levels are found in patients with bipolar disorder.
Of course, humans and mice are not the same. Could further research show the same applies to us? Scientists involved in the study believe so, and researcher Andrea R. Merchak explains, “Thanks to these results, we have new tools at our disposal to optimize the development of probiotics, which should accelerate the discovery of new treatment methods.
