Low-Fat Yogurt Lowers Diabetes Type-2 Risk by 28 Percent

Low fat yogurt can cut diabetes type-2 risk by 28 percent, according to researchers at University of Cambridge.

The study, conducted by Dr Nita Forouhi, from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge and colleagues, shows that eating low-fat dairy products such as yogurt and cheese can help in preventing or at least delaying diabetes type-2.

Yogurt and most cheeses are good sources of calcium and vitamins. However, these products contain high amounts of fat, which is why health experts recommend that adults consume low-fat versions of these products.

Data for the research came from more than 25,000 men and women living in Norfolk, U.K., who are enrolled in the EPIC-Norfolk study. Researchers looked at the dietary habits of 753 people who developed diabetes over the next 11 years, and compared it with food habits of 3,502 randomly selected controls, according to a news release.

They found that people who ate low-fat dairy products- yogurt, fromage frais and low-fat cottage cheese- had about 24 percent lower risk of developing diabetes type-2 than other participants.

When looked at consumption of low-fat yogurt alone, researchers found that it was linked with a 28 percent reduced risk of late onset of diabetes.

Of course, the study doesn't prove a cause-and-effect relation. According to researchers, yogurt is high in good bacteria and a special form of vitamin K, which might explain the lower risk of diabetes.

Researchers acknowledged the limitations that come with conducting a study on dietary habits. Their research was based on a large number of people and the information collected was real-time, rather than depending on participants' memories.

"at a time when we have a lot of other evidence that consuming high amounts of certain foods, such as added sugars and sugary drinks, is bad for our health, it is very reassuring to have messages about other foods like yogurt and low-fat fermented dairy products, that could be good for our health," Dr Forouhi added.

The study is published in the journal Diabetologia.        

Eating yogurt could be good for your waistlines too. New study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that good bacteria in the yogurt aided weight loss in women, npr reported.