Cheap foods eaten regularly help reduce the risk of colon cancer

Colon cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the tissues of the colon. In the early stages, there may be no symptoms. Symptoms usually appear when the cancer has spread. Although colon cancer used to be more common in older people, the incidence of this disease in younger people has increased in recent years.

Foods that help reduce the risk of colon cancer

According to a 40-year study of more than 130,000 people published in the journal Gut Microbes, eating yogurt may reduce the risk of some types of colon cancer by 20%. Dr. Shuji Ogino, head of the Department of Molecular Pathology Epidemiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and one of the study's authors, said the findings provide evidence of the potential role of yogurt in preventing colon cancer.

People who eat at least two servings of yogurt a week have a significantly lower risk of colon cancer thanks to improved gut health. Yogurt is a popular snack that offers many health benefits, especially for gut health.

One of the best components of yogurt is the presence of live bacteria. These components in yogurt help promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut, better weight control and improved digestion.

For the analysis, Dr. Shuji Ogino and colleagues followed more than 130,000 health professionals for more than 40 years. They collected dietary information, including details on yogurt consumption (including plain and mixed yogurt), through questionnaires almost every four years. However, the study did not show which type of yogurt had a greater protective effect against colon cancer.

More research is needed to understand why this link exists, but the results suggest that yogurt may have a protective effect by positively altering the gut microbiome, says Dr. Shuji Ogino. Yogurt may promote the diversity of the gut microbiome, which may improve immune function. A stronger immune system may help the body fight cancer.

Other health benefits of yogurt

In addition to creating good microflora for the intestines, yogurt also has the following other effects.

Helps strengthen bones

Yogurt is one of the richest sources of calcium. This is the main mineral that makes up bones, helps strengthen bones and prevents osteoporosis.

Prevent diabetes

Yogurt is effective in preventing diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. When choosing yogurt to eat, you should use unsweetened yogurt. Because of the benefits of yogurt, nutritionists advise diabetics to eat yogurt as part of a healthy diet.

Good for the heart

Yogurt contains a mixture of minerals that help regulate blood pressure, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals help manage blood flow throughout the body. Potassium is thought to reduce sodium reabsorption and relax blood vessel walls to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.