A recent study published on February 12 suggests that incorporating yogurt into your diet may offer more than just a tasty option for breakfast or a snack—it might also play a role in colon cancer prevention.

This research, featured in the journal “Gut Biomes,” involved a team of physicians and researchers from Mass General Brigham who analyzed data from over 150,000 participants in studies spanning at least three decades.

“Our hypothesis was that long-term yogurt consumption could be linked to varying incidence rates of colorectal cancer, particularly influenced by the presence of Bifidobacterium in tissue,” the study explained.

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Bifidobacterium is a type of beneficial bacteria commonly found in yogurt.

The findings revealed that participants who consumed yogurt at least twice a week exhibited a significantly lower incidence of Bifidobacterium-positive proximal colon cancer compared to those who ate it only once a month or less.

Yogurt may offer more than just delightful taste by possibly preventing certain types of colon cancer. (iStock)

“Our research indicates that yogurt consumption might have a protective effect against colorectal cancer that is associated with a compromised intestinal barrier,” the study concluded.

Dr. Tomotaka Ugai, a co-senior author of the study, shared with Fox News Digital that he wasn’t surprised by these results. Dr. Ugai serves as an instructor at Harvard Medical School and is affiliated with the Cancer Epidemiology Program at Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center.

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“This study, alongside previous research, suggests that yogurt might be advantageous for health, particularly in reducing the risk of specific colorectal cancer types,” he stated.

Researchers also noted that yogurt may lower colon cancer risk “by influencing the intestinal microbiome, which is a plausible association,” Dr. Ugai added.

Bacteria present in yogurt could benefit your gut microbiome, a researcher informed Fox News Digital. (iStock)

If someone already enjoys yogurt regularly, Dr. Ugai recommends continuing this habit and possibly increasing to more than two servings a week for enhanced colorectal cancer prevention.

While the study indicates potential benefits of yogurt for reducing colon cancer risk, Dr. Ugai emphasized that individuals shouldn’t feel compelled to consume it if they dislike the taste.

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“If yogurt isn’t your thing or you simply don’t enjoy it, that’s perfectly fine,” he reassured, adding, “There are numerous other healthy dietary options available such as fruits and vegetables.”

The study indicated that those who consumed yogurt at least twice a week exhibited reduced rates of colon cancer. (iStock)

Dr. Ugai acknowledged that it remains “challenging to determine” whether any other foods provide similar benefits to gut health as yogurt does.

He pointed out that a 2017 study found an association between diets rich in whole grains and dietary fiber and a reduction in colorectal tumors.

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For individuals who are not fond of yogurt, Dr. Ugai suggested opting for other nutritious foods rich in whole grains and fiber as alternative dietary choices.