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- Chris Pugh, cleveland.com
Could a daily serving of yogurt help slow the aging process? A new <a href="https://healthylife7.com/higher-bmi-linked-to-increased-clinical-and-economic-burden-in-knee-oa/” title=”Higher BMI Linked to Increased Clinical and Economic Burden in Knee OA”>clinical trial from Japan suggests it may play a role when combined with healthy eating and regular exercise, though researchers say larger studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions, Inc. reported
Researchers reported that a group of overweight Japanese men between the ages of 50 and 74 experienced a modest reduction in the pace of biological aging after following a 12-week lifestyle program that included eating plain probiotic yogurt every day, according to studyfinds;com. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Aging and measured changes using a biological aging assessment rather than chronological age
The clinical trial included 48 participants. Half of the men consumed about 100 grams of plain yogurt containing the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum BB536 each day while also receiving guidance to improve their diets by cutting back on excess calories, sugary beverages and unnecessary snacking. They were also encouraged to complete at least 30 minutes of brisk walking or similar exercise three times each week. The remaining participants continued their normal routines and served as the comparison group.
To evaluate the effects of the program, researchers used DunedinPACE, a scientific tool designed to estimate the rate at which a person’s body is biologically aging. At the end of the study, participants in the yogurt group showed an average 2.2% reduction in the pace of biological aging compared with those who maintained their usual habits
Investigators said the improvement did not appear to be directly linked to weight loss or the amount of exercise completed by participants. Researchers also reported favorable changes in a DNA marker associated with kidney function, suggesting additional health benefits may warrant further investigation
The authors cautioned that the study was designed to evaluate several lifestyle changes at the same time, making it impossible to determine whether the yogurt alone produced the observed effects. Instead, they believe the combination of probiotic yogurt, improved nutrition and regular physical activity may have contributed to the results
Researchers said the findings should be viewed as preliminary because of the study’s relatively small sample size and short duration. They called for larger, longer-term clinical trials to determine whether the observed changes can be replicated in broader populations and sustained over time
Scientists have increasingly explored the role probiotics and fermented dairy products may play in healthy aging. Previous research has examined whether beneficial bacteria found in foods such as yogurt and kefir can reduce inflammation and support immune function, although experts say additional human studies remain necessary
The study also disclosed that it received funding from Morinaga Milk Industry, the Japanese dairy company that developed the BB536 probiotic strain used during the trial. Researchers acknowledged the funding
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This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff
