Uniqueness of Yogurt – could simply eating yogurt promote a healthier lifestyle?
This topic leads us towards a more mysterious issue! It’s possible that the consumption of a specific food (i.e. yogurt) might have a beneficial impact on the global lifestyle of people, because of its symbolic value or undocumented effect…a bit like the chef’s signature dish.
Do yogurt eaters tend not to smoke?
This is what we might be inclined to believe when considering the results of the recent Brazilian study suggesting that yogurt consumers are less predisposed to smoking (15). Yogurt consumption was associated with a healthier lifestyle in Brazilian adults. They were less dependent on alcohol, and had a lower smoking status. Non-consumers also showed a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
Are yogurt eaters more active?
The Brazilian study also provided evidence suggesting that yogurt consumers are more physically active and tend to be less overweight compared to non-consumers. Recently an Italian study provided concordant results showing that yogurt consumers are more physically active (16, 17).
This issue has also been examined in the Québec family study, for which preliminary data analysis revealed that female yogurt consumers are more physically active, in association with a reduced body weight (18).
Eat yogurt: watch your weight
There’s an interesting study reported by Mozaffarian (19) who also used the data of large cohorts to demonstrate that weight gain over time was less pronounced in individuals who reported an increased consumption of some foods including yogurt, as well as nuts, whole grains and fruits. And, not surprisingly, the consumption of foods such as potato chips and processed meats was associated with the opposite effects on weight gain.
Interestingly, when yogurt consumers were followed over a 6-year period (Québec study), they remained less predisposed to overweight and excess body fat.
Figure 4: Healthier lifestyle habits
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