Yogurt: Cancer Protection from Probiotics

by Kelley Herring

You probably know that probiotics—the bacteria found in yogurt, buttermilk, kefir and other cultured dairy products—can improve gastrointestinal health. Now new research shows another way these good-for-you germs guard against disease.

Researchers at the Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health recently found that probiotics inactivate carcinogens that can damage DNA. And in doing so, may help to protect against one of the most prevalent cancers—colon cancer.

To get the cancer-fighting benefits of probiotics, choose plain, organic yogurt (or other cultured dairy products). And make sure you get those with no sugar added. You can also opt for a high quality probiotic supplement (with “live and active” on the label) to get the benefits of these healthy cultures, calorie and sugar-free.