Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are part of many people’s diets. Scientists wanted to find out if eating dairy affects the bacteria in our gut.
This is important because gut bacteria help with digestion and keeping us healthy. A study was done to learn more about this connection.
Scientists studied 34 people who did not have colon problems. They checked samples from their colons to see what kind of bacteria were there.
They also asked the participants how much dairy they ate in the past year.
The researchers used advanced technology to count different types of bacteria in the colon. They then compared the results between people who ate more dairy and those who ate less.
Study: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/3/567
What They Found
- More Dairy, More Good Bacteria
- People who drank more milk and ate more dairy had more Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia in their gut.
- These bacteria are good for health because they help reduce inflammation and improve digestion.
- Cheese Had a Different Effect
- People who ate more cheese had less Bacteroides and Subdoligranulum bacteria.
- Some studies say Bacteroides can be harmful, while others say it is needed for digestion.
- This means cheese may affect gut bacteria differently than milk.
- Dairy Can Change Gut Diversity
- People who consumed more dairy had a wider variety of gut bacteria.
- More diversity in gut bacteria is linked to better health.
Our gut might get more good bacteria when we drink milk and eat dairy products. This may be one reason why dairy is linked to health benefits like less inflammation and better digestion.
Cheese, on the other hand, might not have the same effects as milk because it is made by fermentation and has less lactose. This could change how it affects our gut bacteria.
Should You Eat More Dairy?
Eating cheese can be good for health, but everyone’s body is different. Some people can’t handle lactose, which can make them sick after eating dairy. Some people may be able to digest it well and benefit from it.
To keep our gut bacteria healthy, we need to eat a variety of foods and in the right amounts. As long as you’re not sure, a doctor or nutritionist can help you pick the right foods.
Scientists still don’t fully understand how the food we eat changes the bacteria in our gut. This study tells us more about the health benefits of dairy, but more needs to be done.
If you like dairy, you may be doing something good for the bacteria in your gut. Remember, though, that the best way to live a good life is to eat a balanced diet.