A healthy gut microbiome plays a crucial role in protecting against various diseases, including some forms of cancer. Now, new research suggests that certain beneficial bacteria may be linked to a lower risk of bowel cancer.
Regularly eating yoghurt could lower the risk of certain types of the disease, according to the research. The live bacteria in yoghurt can influence the gut microbiome, potentially offering protection against various diseases.
Researchers from the US Mass General Brigham healthcare system analysed tumour DNA from 1,121 colorectal cancer cases, searching for the presence of Bifidobacterium, a bacterial strain commonly found in yoghurt.
They found that nearly a third of cases tested positive for the bacteria, while 69 per cent showed no trace of it. While a higher yoghurt intake was not linked to a lower overall cancer risk, researchers found that those who consumed at least two servings per week were 20 per cent less likely to develop Bifidobacterium-positive proximal colon cancer, a type that affects the right side of the large intestine.
Dr Tomotaka Ugai, of the US Mass General Brigham healthcare system and an epidemiology expert at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explained: “It has long been believed that yogurt and other fermented milk products are beneficial for gastrointestinal health. Our new findings suggest that this protective effect may be specific for Bifidobacterium-positive tumors.”
The researchers suggested that increasing yoghurt consumption may help reduce the risk of this specific cancer type by influencing the gut microbiome.
The study was supported by Cancer Research UK through the Cancer Grand Challenges initiative, which funds research into the role of the microbiome in disease development, progression, and treatment response.
Dr Andrew T Chan, chief of the clinical and translational epidemiology unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, highlighted the study’s significance, saying: “This paper adds to the growing evidence that illustrates the connection between diet, the gut microbiome, and risk of colorectal cancer.
“It provides an additional avenue for us to investigate the specific role of these factors in the risk of colorectal cancer among young people.”
Bowel cancer remains the third most common cancer worldwide, underscoring the importance of research into its causes and prevention. The findings were published in the journal Gut Microbes.