Two servings of yogurt per week may help lower the risk of pre-cancerous bowel growths
Eating two or more weekly servings of yogurt may help to lower the risk of developing the abnormal growths (adenomas) in the bowel. Adenomas precede the development of bowel cancer at least in men. The role of yogurt was published online in the journal Gut.
The findings indicate that the observed associations were strongest for adenomas that are highly likely to become cancerous, and for those located in the colon rather than in the rectum.
Previously published research has suggested that eating a lot of yogurt might lower the risk of bowel cancer by changing the type and volume of bacteria in the gut (microbiome).
Compared with men who didn’t eat yogurt, those who ate two or more servings a week were 19% less likely to develop a conventional adenoma
The researchers therefore looked at the diets and subsequent development of different types of adenoma among 32,606 men who were part of the Health Professionals Follow Up Study and 55,743 women who were part of the Nurses Health Study.
All the study participants underwent colonoscopy between 1986 and 2012 – a procedure that enables a clinician to view the inside of the gut. And every four years, they provided detailed information on lifestyle and diet, including how much yogurt they ate.
During the study period, 5811 adenomas developed in the men and 8116 in the women.
Compared with men who didn’t eat yogurt, those who ate two or more servings a week were 19% less likely to develop a conventional adenoma.
This lower risk was even greater (26%) for adenomas that were highly likely to become cancerous, and for those located in the colon rather than in the rectum.
While no obvious association was seen for men with a potentially more dangerous type of adenoma (serrated), a trend towards reduced risk was seen for those measuring 1 or more cm, which is considered to be large.
No such associations between yogurt intake and the development of adenomas were evident among the women.
This study shows an association and as such, can’t establish cause. Further research would be needed to confirm the findings and uncover the biology involved, emphasise the researchers.
