Scientists identify ideal breakfast for preventing colon cancer
Doctors have named a breakfast that fights cancer (illustrative photo: flickr.com/FoodCraftLab)
Scientists have found that regularly consuming just one specific food for breakfast can significantly reduce the risk of developing colon cancer, research published in the journal Gut Biomes reports.
What do people who suffer less from colon cancer eat?
Doctors and researchers from Mass General Brigham analyzed data from two studies involving over 150,000 people, who were observed for at least 30 years. They concluded that "long-term yogurt consumption may be associated with a lower incidence of colorectal cancer."
The study found that those who ate yogurt at least twice a week had "a lower incidence of Bifidobacterium-positive proximal colon cancer than those who ate it once a month or less."
"Our findings suggest that long-term yogurt intake may lower the incidence of Bifidobacterium-positive proximal colorectal cancer," the study states.
Simple changes to your breakfast can save you from colon cancer (illustrative photo: Freepik)
One of the study’s leading co-authors, Tomotaka Ugai, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School and a research fellow at the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center's Cancer Epidemiology Program, emphasizes: if you already eat yogurt regularly, you should continue. However, there’s no need to force yourself if you don’t like it.
"If you don’t like yogurt, don’t worry. There are many other healthy food options, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, that you can consume as an alternative," says the doctor.
At the same time, he adds that "it’s difficult to say whether there are any yogurt alternatives that would have a similar effect on the gut microbiome."
How to choose healthiest yogurt?
First of all, choose yogurt with no added sugar or one with low sugar content. Flavored and fruit yogurts often contain excessive sugar, which negates the product's health benefits and may negatively impact your well-being. The best choice is plain, natural yogurt, to which you can add fruits, berries, nuts, or a small amount of honey yourself.
In addition, look for live cultures on the label. If you’re buying imported yogurt, check for "Live and Active Cultures" confirmation. Probiotics make yogurt beneficial for digestion and overall immunity. The most common beneficial bacteria are Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, but other probiotic strains are also useful.
Consider protein content. Protein is crucial for satiety, muscle health, and metabolism. Greek yogurt usually contains more protein than regular yogurt (10g or more per 100g), making it a better option for those watching their weight or leading an active lifestyle.
Fat content matters: Low-fat yogurts have fewer calories, but full-fat versions are more filling and contain more vitamins. Your choice should depend on individual dietary needs and restrictions.
Furthermore, avoid yogurts with long ingredient lists containing syrups, artificial flavors, colors, thickeners, starch, gelatin, etc. The fewer ingredients, the better!
Read also what products you can eat to make your brain work 100% in the early morning.
Sources: Mayo Clinic
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
