Eating yogurt regularly could help reduce the risk of a certain type of colorectal cancer. Researchers found that people who consumed yogurt with live bacteria at least twice a week were 20% less likely to develop tumors containing Bifidobacterium, a type of beneficial gut bacteria.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, making up more than 10% of all cancer cases, according to the World Health Organization. It develops in the colon or rectum and can become life-threatening if left untreated.
Lifestyle and diet play a key role
Experts say every day habits can influence cancer risk. Sitting for long hours, smoking, obesity and excessive alcohol consumption are key risk factors. Diet also plays a significant role.
High intake of processed meats and low consumption of fiber, fruits and vegetables have been linked to higher colorectal cancer rates.
In contrast, eating fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains may help protect against the disease. The recent study adds to growing evidence that probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt, might also contribute to cancer prevention.
Researchers uncover link between yogurt and tumor reduction
Dr. Gemma Balmer-Kemp, head of research at Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Grand Challenges, said the findings reveal a potential dietary influence on cancer development.
“This study provides new evidence about the potential benefit of yogurt (which contains live bacteria) in reducing risk of a certain subtype of colorectal cancer,” Balmer-Kemp said.
She added, “While this study has shown a correlation between long-term consumption of yogurt and lower rates of proximal colorectal cancer positive for Bifidobacterium, more work is required to understand any causative role of Bifidobacterium and the mechanisms involved if so.”
A study suggests long-term yogurt intake may be linked to lower colorectal cancer risk—but only for tumors rich in Bifidobacterium. pic.twitter.com/pLlWclaiGT
— Dr. Norman Jonas (@NormanJonasMD) February 12, 2025
To explore the connection, researchers analyzed data from two large, long-term studies that tracked the health habits of more than 150,000 participants over several decades.
The studies included regular surveys about diet, lifestyle, and yogurt consumption. Tissue samples from colorectal cancer patients were later tested for Bifidobacterium DNA.
The numbers behind the study
Among the 3,079 participants who developed colorectal cancer, 1,121 had available bacteria data. Researchers found that individuals who ate yogurt frequently had 20% fewer tumors containing Bifidobacterium compared to those who rarely ate it.
Probiotics, including Bifidobacterium, are known to support gut health and immunity. Common probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophiles, are often found in yogurt and help break down food and maintain a balanced gut environment.
Experts weigh in on the findings
Kelsey Costa, a registered dietitian nutritionist not involved in the study, said the findings highlight the importance of gut bacteria in cancer prevention.
“Bifidobacterium is an important bacterial strain in yogurt that produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the gut and has anti-cancer properties through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting effects,” Costa said.
She added, “Yogurt may help strengthen the gut barrier and support Bifidobacterium‘s beneficial role in suppressing Bifidobacterium-positive tumor growth.”
Still, researchers caution that the study was observational, meaning it shows a link but not a direct cause-and-effect relationship. More research is needed to understand how probiotics might influence cancer development.