New Delhi, July 12 (IANS). Eating habits have a direct impact on our health. Now a new research has revealed that foods like curd, probiotics and prebiotics can help in maintaining good intestinal health and their consumption can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (cancer of the intestine and rectum).
This research was conducted in collaboration with Chang Shan Medical University Hospital Research Program. In this study, attention was paid to people aged 50 years or older. Researchers studied data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2020. It included about 9,405 people, representing the US adult population of approximately 37 million.
Researchers analyzed information related to people’s diet, supplement intake habits and history of colorectal cancer. Apart from this, age, gender, other eating habits, smoking, weight, physical condition and other health related factors were also taken into account, so that the results could be more accurate.
The study found that people who consumed probiotics, prebiotics or yogurt had about 50 percent less chance of developing colorectal cancer. According to researchers, one reason for this could be the positive effect of these foods on the microbiota present in the intestines, i.e. the balance of good and bad bacteria.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that help increase good bacteria in the body. At the same time, prebiotics are fibers that serve as food for these good bacteria. Fermented foods like curd also contain elements which are considered beneficial for the digestive system.
However, researchers have also clarified that this study only shows a relationship, it does not prove that curd or probiotics directly prevent cancer. Since this research was based on old data, further research studying people over a longer period of time is needed.
Nevertheless, this study suggests that a balanced diet and good gut health may play an important role in cancer prevention strategies. Including curd, fiber rich foods and things beneficial for the intestines in your daily diet can be beneficial for health.
–IANS
PIM/PM