Research published in Gut Microbes found an association between eating at least two servings of yogurt per week and a 20% lower risk of one type of colon cancer. The study does not show that yogurt prevents or cures cancer.
What the researchers found
What did researchers find?
Scientists followed more than 130,000 people for over 30 years. People who ate at least two servings of yogurt a week had a 20% lower risk of developing Bifidobacterium-positive proximal colon cancer.
Why focus on Bifidobacterium?
Bifidobacterium is a probiotic strain found in yogurt. Tumors containing this bacterium made up 31% of the cases studied, and the association with yogurt was strongest for these tumors.
How yogurt may affect the gut
Probiotics and the gut
Why right-sided colon cancer?
The association was strongest for right-sided, or proximal, colon cancers. These cancers can be harder to detect early and have a higher mortality rate.
How much yogurt should you eat?
The study compared people who ate at least two 6-ounce servings per week with those who ate less. If you add yogurt to your diet, plain Greek yogurt has less added sugar than many flavored varieties.
Lactose intolerant?
Fermented yogurts like Greek or skyr are lower in lactose, and plant-based yogurts with live cultures can be a good alternative.
What this means in practice
- Colorectal cancer incidence has risen 51% in adults under 50 since 1994, according to the American Cancer Society.
- Yogurt is widely available and relatively affordable, but this observational study does not establish it as a prevention tool.
- Improving access to nutritious food in underserved areas could help more people include fermented foods in their diets.
Put the finding in context
Yogurt is not a cure, and one observational result should not replace established prevention measures. Regular screening, exercise, and a balanced diet still matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Emerging research published in Gut Microbes found that people eating at least two servings of yogurt per week had a 20% lower risk of developing Bifidobacterium-positive proximal (right-sided) colon cancer, based on a study that tracked over 130,000 people for more than 30 years. Yogurt is not a cure, but it appears to be part of a gut-friendly prevention strategy.