Eating Yogurt Could Cut Your Risk of This Deadly Disease
According to a new study, consuming yogurt with live bacteria may lower the risk of a specific type of colorectal cancer.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham (Boston, USA) report this:
Individuals who regularly ate two or more servings of live yogurt weekly had a one-fifth reduction in their risk of developing colorectal tumors containing Bifidobacterium, a common gut bacteria.
Before we proceed, I would be remiss if I did not briefly discuss the colon cancer risk factors.
We’ll then turn to the microbiome.
Background – Eating Yogurt Could Cut Your Risk of This Deadly Disease
Colorectal cancer is a major global health concern, representing over 10 percent of all cancer diagnoses worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
While lifestyle factors like inactivity, smoking, obesity, high alcohol intake, and diets high in processed meats and low in fruits and vegetables increase risk, a healthy, high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium, and dairy is linked to lower risk.
This new research, published in Gut Microbes, suggests yogurt may also play a protective role. While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, scientists believe it may relate to yogurt’s influence on the gut microbiome.
Microbiome
The microbiome is the collection of all microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea) that live in a particular environment, such as the human body.
A complex community of these microscopic organisms and their genetic material reside in various body parts, most notably the gut, skin, mouth, and lungs.
Think of it like a bustling city within your body.
Different neighborhoods (like the gut, skin, etc.) have different populations of microorganisms, each with their jobs and interactions.
Microorganisms and Bodily Functions
Microorganisms play a crucial role in body function, including:
- Digestion: They help break down complex carbohydrates and other nutrients.
- Immune system development and regulation: They help train the immune system to distinguish between harmful and harmless substances, and they play a role in regulating inflammation.
- Nutrient synthesis: Microorganisms can create essential nutrients, such as vitamins.
- Protection against pathogens: The microbes can help block harmful bacteria from colonizing our bodies.
- Brain function: There appears to be a connection between the gut microbiome and brain health, with the gut influencing mood, cognition, and even the risk of neurological disorders.
Factors Influencing the Microbiome
Various factors, including diet, lifestyle, genetics, and environment, can influence microbiome composition and diversity.
Microbiome changes are associated with a variety of health conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer.
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Scientists are still learning much about the microbiome’s role in human health.
It’s a dynamic and complex ecosystem, and understanding its intricacies is crucial for developing new strategies for preventing and treating diseases.
Lifestyle and Colorectal Cancer Risk
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that it makes up more than 10 percent of all cancer diagnoses.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, the following are lifestyle-related risk factors:
- Lack of regular physical activity.
- A diet low in fruit and vegetables.
- A low-fiber and high-fat diet, or a diet high in processed meats.
- Overweight and obesity.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Tobacco use.
Eating Yogurt Could Cut Your Risk of This Deadly Disease
A new study in Gut Microbes conducted by Mass General Brigham (USA) suggests that regularly drinking yogurt may reduce the risk of specific types of colorectal cancer by influencing the gut microbiome.
The findings are hypothesis-generating:
Regular consumption of yogurt with live bacteria (at least two servings per week) was linked to a 20% reduction in the risk of developing colorectal tumors containing Bifidobacterium, a common gut bacteria.
The protective effect of regular yogurt consumption against proximal colon cancer may depend on the levels of Bifidobacterium bacteria in the gut, suggesting that yogurt’s anti-tumor properties are specific to this subgroup of tumors.
Summary
The researchers used two large prospective studies to see whether the link between long-term yogurt consumption and colorectal cancer varied depending on the amount of Bifidobacterium in the tumor tissue.
They observed differences, particularly for proximal colon cancer.
Higher yogurt intake was associated with a lower risk of Bifidobacterium-positive proximal colon cancer (but not the Bifidobacterium-negative subtype).
Given the known variability among colorectal cancer subtypes, these results suggest this:
Yogurt’s protective effect against colorectal cancer may depend on the abundance of Bifidobacterium within the tumor.
We have long known that yogurt and other fermented milk products might benefit gastrointestinal health by influencing the immune system and inflammation.
Most studies have shown an inverse relationship between yogurt intake and colorectal cancer risk.
This new research indicates that the protective effect of yogurt may be specific to Bifidobacterium-positive colon cancers.
My Take – Eating Yogurt Could Cut Your Risk of This Deadly Disease
The results are promising, especially the discovery of the potential importance of Bifidobacterium in human health.
However, more work is needed to establish whether there is a causal relationship between yogurt consumption and lower colorectal cancer risk.
If you don’t like yogurt, other fermented foods may be valuable, including the following:
- kimchi
- coconut kefir
- miso
- sauerkraut
These probiotic-containing foods can support a healthy gut microbiome.
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