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Can Yogurt Lower Colon Cancer Risk? It Might Depend on Gut Bacteria

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Long-term yogurt intake and colorectal cancer incidence subclassified by Bifidobacterium abundance in tumors.DOI 10.108019490976.2025.2452237

Eating yogurt regularly might help reduce the risk of colon cancer—but the effect may depend on the bacteria inside the tumors. A new study suggests that people who eat yogurt at least twice a week may have a lower chance of developing certain types of colorectal cancer.

Yogurt often contains healthy bacteria called Bifidobacterium. These bacteria support digestion and may also help protect the gut from harmful changes that lead to cancer.

The study followed over 130,000 people and looked at how often they ate yogurt. Among those who later developed colon cancer, researchers analyzed the bacteria in their tumor tissue. They found that the link between yogurt and cancer risk depended on whether the tumors had Bifidobacterium in them.

For tumors with Bifidobacterium, people who ate yogurt regularly had a lower risk of getting cancer. But for tumors without this bacteria, yogurt didn’t seem to help.

The effect was stronger in cancers found in the beginning part of the colon, called the proximal colon.

This doesn’t mean yogurt can prevent all types of colon cancer. But it suggests that the gut microbiome—the mix of bacteria in your digestive system—may play a role in how diet affects cancer risk.

If you enjoy yogurt, especially types with live cultures, it could be one step toward supporting a healthy gut. Still, talk to your doctor about other ways to reduce your cancer risk, including screening, staying active, and eating more fiber-rich foods.

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Dr. Harsh J Shah
Dr Harsh Shah - GI & HPB Oncosurgeon in India
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