Recently, there was a study conducted at the University of Cambridge which claimed that low-fat fermented dairy products can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Previous research also suggests that calcium, magnesium, or specific fatty acids present in dairy products may help. Now, a latest study particularly highlights the benefits of consuming yogurt and adds to the existing evidence.
The study, conducted at Harvard School of Public Health in the United states, finds that consumption of a serving of yogurt (about 28 grams) daily is associated with an 18 percent lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. The study appeared in the journal BMC Medicine and states that probiotics and antioxidants in yogurt may have a positive effect. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic ailment that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells develop resistance to insulin. About 90% of all cases of diabetes worldwide are of this type. Obesity and lack of physical activity are two of the most common causes, but your genetic disposition may also put you at risk. According to Senior Researcher Frank Hu, "Our findings suggest that yogurt can be incorporated into a healthy dietary pattern. We found that higher intake of yogurt is associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, whereas other dairy foods and consumption of total dairy did not show this association." (Why Yogurt is Good for You)