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Health experts have highlighted the potential benefits of incorporating plain yoghurt into one’s diet as a means to reduce the risk of diabetes and alleviate insulin resistance, offering insights into the recent qualified health claim made by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding yoghurt’s role in diabetes prevention.
While yoghurt has long been recognized for its potential to mitigate diabetes risk, the FDA’s recent acknowledgment marks a significant milestone in endorsing its efficacy. The regulatory body cited limited scientific evidence supporting the claim that consuming at least three servings of yoghurt per week may reduce the incidence of Type-2 Diabetes (T2D) among the general population.
However, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania cautioned that yoghurt should not be viewed as a cure or treatment for T2D.
Vandana Verma, Principal Dietitian at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, underscored the role of probiotics in yoghurt in promoting gut health, thereby contributing to improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity crucial for managing blood sugar levels. She emphasized the importance of choosing plain yoghurt with live cultures and avoiding added sugars to maximize its health benefits.
“Opting for plain yoghurt with live cultures and avoiding added sugars is preferred. Additionally, incorporating yoghurt into a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, coupled with regular exercise, is crucial for managing and reducing diabetes risk,” Verma advised.
Yoghurt, renowned for its nutritional value, serves as a rich source of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial microbes. Consumption of yoghurt not only aids in managing diabetes risk but also contributes to overall health by modulating the gastrointestinal microbiota and ecosystem.
Dr. Rajeev Gupta, Director of Internal Medicine at the C.K. Birla Hospital (R), Delhi, highlighted the potential of yoghurt’s constituents such as Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium species in bolstering immunity, reducing obesity, and maintaining liver health.
“These metabolites may prove anti-inflammatory and may change immunity by modulating IL-1 and IL-6. Decreased visceral fat and obesity can reduce insulin resistance, also modulated by cytokines, resulting in fewer new-onset diabetes cases and less non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NFLD),” Dr. Gupta explained.
The endorsement of yoghurt by health experts as a dietary component for diabetes risk reduction underscores the importance of dietary choices in promoting overall health and well-being, offering individuals a proactive approach to managing their health and mitigating disease risks.
