Eating Yogurt Twice a Week May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk by 20%, Study Finds

**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily):** Researchers at Harvard University in the United States have identified a dairy product that may significantly lower the risk of colon cancer.

According to a new study, consuming yogurt during breakfast can improve beneficial bacteria in the gut and reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.

Cases of colon cancer are rising rapidly among young people in the U.S., with estimates suggesting that the diagnosis rate may nearly double between 2010 and 2030. Experts have been investigating the reasons for this increase, and one theory is that prolonged presence of harmful bacteria in the colon can trigger the growth of cancerous cells.

The Harvard study revealed that individuals who eat yogurt at least twice a week may lower their risk of colon cancer caused by bacteria by up to 20 percent. Researchers studied colon tumors associated with a bacterium called *Bifidobacterium*, which typically aids in fiber digestion and infection prevention.

However, an excessive amount of this bacterium can cause inflammation in the colon, damaging cells and forcing them to grow uncontrollably, which may lead to cancer.

The findings underscore the potential benefits of incorporating yogurt into the diet as a preventive measure against colon cancer.