Gastroenterologist ‘The Stomach Doc’ Explains What Eating Yogurt Can Do For Your Overall Health: ‘Decreases’ Your Risk Of Colon Cancer

What Eating Yogurt Can Do For Your Overall Health

Dr. Salhab says eating yogurt can "decrease your risk of colon cancer." He continues, “We have studies that show us that people who ate more yogurt actually had a lower risk of not only colon cancer but also colon polyps, which can be precancerous.”

He notes that while it's not exactly known why yogurt gives this benefit, “part of it is that it might give you the calcium you need, which again we know lowers your risk of colon cancer, but it also could be that the probiotics and live cultures contained in some of these yogurt products give the benefit of lowering the risk of colon cancer because we think that gut bacteria could be involved in the formation of colon cancer, and gut bacterial dysfunction can certainly be one of the reasons for it. When we have good gut diversity of good bacteria,” it helps lower this risk of colon cancer.

Yogurt contains live probiotic cultures like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. A balanced microbiome plays a crucial role in protecting the colon by promoting proper digestion, reducing inflammation, and suppressing harmful microbes that can contribute to cancer development.

The bottom line

While yogurt alone isn’t a cure or guaranteed prevention, incorporating it into a high-fiber, plant-rich diet can be a smart, science-backed way to support colon health and potentially reduce cancer risk.

Start your day with a bowl of plain Greek yogurt topped with fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds for a balanced, probiotic-rich breakfast. It can also be used as a base for smoothies, blended with leafy greens, berries, and a scoop of protein powder for an easy on-the-go option. At lunch or dinner, use yogurt as a creamy, healthy alternative to sour cream or mayonnaise in sauces, dressings, or dips like tzatziki.