Natural yogurt can delay aging, new study finds

Researchers followed overweight Japanese men for 12 weeks. At the end of the period, the group that combined guided nutrition, regular exercise and daily intake of probiotics showed more significant weight loss and a 2.2% reduction in the rate of biological aging compared to participants who did not follow the same protocol.

How was the study carried out?

The research evaluated three habit changes at the same time: personalized nutritional monitoring, frequent physical activity and daily consumption of natural yogurt rich in probiotics.

Therefore, the authors themselves highlight that it is not possible to say that yogurt, alone, was responsible for the results observed.

What do probiotics have to do with aging?

Among the microorganisms analyzed, Bifidobacterium longum was the one that showed the greatest association with the improvement of biological markers.

Scientists believe that a balanced intestinal microbiota can reduce low-intensity chronic inflammatory processes, considered one of the factors related to cellular aging.

Experts urge caution

Chris Browne, director of Nutrition and Functional Medicine at the University of Western States, recalls that the study has limitations.

According to him, as the participants also exercised and received dietary guidance, it is not possible to identify which intervention had the greatest impact.

Furthermore, follow-up lasted only 12 weeks.

"As they tested three interventions at the same time, we don't know whether any part of the plan, such as yogurt, made a difference or not," he said. The expert adds that there is still not enough evidence to know whether the benefits would be maintained for months or years.

Is it worth including yogurt in your diet?

The results reinforce that natural yogurt can be part of a balanced diet, mainly by providing beneficial probiotics to the intestinal microbiota.

However, the researchers highlight that the observed effects arose within a set of healthy habits. The combination of adequate nutrition, physical activity and medical monitoring continues to be the most recommended strategy for preserving health and promoting healthy aging.

Greek or natural yogurt: which is better for the intestine?

Greek and natural yogurt offer important benefits, but they differ in the amount of protein, calcium and satiety. Understand which one best suits your goals and what really changes when it comes to intestinal health.