A study published online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ / Gut) shows that:
Eating two or more servings of yogurt weekly may help reduce the risk of developing abnormal adenoma growth. (adenomas - a form of polyps) is a high risk / precancerous bowel - at least in men.
New research
The findings indicate the observed correlation is strongest in adenomas that are more likely to become cancerous and in the colon rather than in the rectum.
Previously published studies suggest that eating a lot of yogurt may reduce the risk of bowel cancer by changing the type and number of beneficial bacteria in the gut (microbiome). But these studies have not yet shown that yogurt may also be associated with a reduced risk of precancerous growth by adenomas or adenomas.
Therefore, researchers studied the diet and subsequent development of various types of adenomas among 32,606 male health workers participating in health monitoring studies (Health Professionals Follow Up study). The study was conducted by Dr. Walter Willett, a nutritionist, Harvard School of Public Health and his colleagues, to evaluate a range of male health hypotheses related to nutritional factors to ratio. suffer from serious illnesses, such as cancer, heart disease and other vascular disease) and 55,743 nurses participated in health studies (Nurses Health Study is one of the most promising research on risk factors for major chronic diseases in women performed by Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, Brigham and Woman Hospital).
All study participants underwent colonoscopy - a procedure that allows clinicians to examine the inside of the gastrointestinal tract - from 1986 to 2012. Every 4 years, study participants provide Detailed information about lifestyle and diet, including yogurt rations.
During the study period, the data recorded 5811 cases of adenomas developing in men and 8116 cases of developing adenomas in women.
Compared to men who did not eat yogurt, those who ate two or more servings of yogurt per week were less likely to develop a common adenoma, the difference was up to 19%.
This lower risk is even greater (26%) for adenomas that have a high likelihood of becoming cancer. And the incidence of adenomas appears more often in the colon than in the rectum. This trend of risk reduction was noted for adenomas of size 1 cm or more (considered to be large).
The data in the study did not indicate a similar association between yogurt and adenoma development in women.
Explain the correlation
This is an observational study, so there is no basis for in-depth analysis of the cause of the correlation. The researchers stressed that more in-depth studies will be needed to confirm these findings and uncover hidden biological correlations. But the large number of participants in this study and regular updates on dietary and lifestyle factors reinforce these findings.
To explain these newly discovered findings, the researchers point out that Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, two bacteria strains commonly found in raw yogurt, can reduce the amount of cancer-causing chemicals. in the intestine.
The strong correlation noted in the number of adenomas developing in the colon may be partly due to the lower acidity (pH) in this intestine, making the colon a more friendly environment for the colon. these bacteria.
In addition, adenoma is associated with increased intestinal permeability, whereas yogurt may have anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce intestinal 'leaks', helping to improve this condition.
