Yoghurt and longevity - is this the ultimate superfood?
Why is yoghurt linked to longevity?
Live yoghurt (containing active cultures) provides a combination of nutrients and beneficial bacteria that support overall health as we age. It’s a valuable source of protein, calcium, B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium—nutrients that help maintain bone strength, muscle mass, and energy metabolism. Beyond its nutritional profile, yoghurt’s live bacterial cultures, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, play an important role in supporting a healthy gut microbiome.
By promoting beneficial gut bacteria, live yoghurt may reduce systemic inflammation, improve digestion, and support healthier cholesterol and blood sugar levels. These effects are thought to contribute to healthy ageing. Recent evidence supports this; a 2024 study found that people who regularly consumed yoghurt had about half the risk of accelerated biological ageing compared to people who didn’t eat yoghurt (1). Other large-scale studies also suggest a link between yoghurt intake and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality (2).
Is yoghurt good for the brain?
There is also increasing interest in how live yoghurt and other probiotic-rich foods may influence brain health and dementia risk. The ‘gut-brain axis’ (the communication pathway between gut bacteria and the nervous system) appears to play a role in inflammation and cognitive decline. Probiotic strains commonly found in yoghurt have been shown in laboratory studies to reduce neuroinflammation and support neurotransmitter balance.
Early clinical evidence is encouraging, one study found that 12 weeks of probiotic supplementation improved cognitive performance and reduced inflammation in people with Alzheimer’s disease (3), and a 2024 study found that people with daily yoghurt consumption had significantly higher cognitive scores than people who did not eat yoghurt (4). While more research is needed, the data suggests that including live-culture yoghurt as part of a balanced diet may support health and longevity.
References
1) https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1482980/
2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10346031/
3) https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.1032494/full