Can yogurt Consumption Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk? A Deep Dive

Emerging research suggests a potential link between regular yogurt consumption and a reduced risk of a specific type of colorectal cancer. The key player? A beneficial bacterium called bifidobacterium.

the Yogurt-Cancer Connection: Key Findings

• A study published February 12 in Gut Microbes indicates that consuming at least two servings of yogurt per week may lower the risk of proximal colorectal cancer, especially in tumors containing bifidobacterium.
• Researchers at Mass General Brigham analyzed the influence of yogurt on the intestinal microbiome and it’s potential protective role against colorectal cancer.
• The study found that approximately 30% of colorectal cancer patients had bifidobacterium present in their tumors.

Delving Deeper: How Yogurt Might Protect

The study, drawing data from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) starting in 1976 and the Health professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) starting in 1986, which monitored over 100,000 nurses and 51,000 health professionals. Researchers analyzed tissue samples from colorectal cancer patients, measuring the amount of bifidobacterium DNA in their tumors. While a direct association between long-term yogurt consumption and overall colorectal cancer incidence wasn’t observed, a significant connection emerged for tumors positive for bifidobacterium.

Individuals consuming two or more servings of yogurt weekly exhibited a 20% lower risk of developing this specific type of cancer. This protective effect was even more pronounced in proximal colorectal cancer, which affects the right side of the colon and is often associated with lower survival rates.

Expert Insights

Shuji Ogino, MD, PHD, head of the pathological molecular epidemiology program at the Bright and Women’s Hospital, stated, “Our study provides unique evidence of the potential benefits of yogurt. My lab approach is to try to connect long -term diets and other exposure factors with key differences in tissues, such as the presence or absence of a certain bacterial species. This type of investigation can strengthen the connection between the diet and the health results.”

Tomotaka Ugai,MD,PHD,co-author of the study,added,”For a long time it is believed that yogurt and other fermented dairy products are beneficial for gastrointestinal health. Our discoveries suggest that this protective effect coudl be specific to positive tumors for bifidobacterium.”

Andrew T. Chan, MD, co-author of the study and chief of the unit of epidemiology Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasized, “This research adds additional evidence of the connection between diet, intestinal microbiome and the risk of colorectal cancer. This study offers us a new direction of investigation into how these factors influence the risk of colorectal cancer, especially among young people.”

What This Means for You: Actionable Advice

• Consider adding yogurt to yoru diet: Aim for at least two servings per week.
• Choose yogurts with live and active cultures: Look for the “Live & Active Cultures” seal to ensure the presence of beneficial bacteria.
• Be mindful of added sugars: Opt for plain yogurt and add your own fruit or natural sweeteners for flavor.

The Road Ahead

While these findings are promising, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which yogurt and bifidobacterium may protect against colorectal cancer. However, incorporating yogurt into a balanced diet appears to be a simple and potentially beneficial step for promoting gut health and potentially reducing cancer risk.

Discuss your diet with your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your individual health needs and risk factors.