The research conducted by the Boston University School of Medicine showed that yogurt consumption is associated with reducing the risk of obesity in women during menopause.
On average, women gain about 2.25 kilograms during the first 3 years of menopause. A 10% increase in fat mass in women who are going through menopause causes a change in the distribution of body fat and, as a result, more accumulation of central fat, which can increase the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
A new study published with the participation of more than 35,000 women shows that the consumption of probiotics and calcium through yogurt can prevent weight gain during menopause. This study, which examined the effect of all dairy sources, showed that increasing yogurt consumption over 4 years led to weight loss, and there was no such relation for other dairy products.
This is the first long-term study to examine the relationship between dairy foods, especially yogurt, and weight change during menopause. Boston University School of Medicine researchers hypothesized that weight change and reduced risk of being overweight during this period can be caused by the content of calcium and probiotics in yogurt. The report states: “Calcium may play a role in fat metabolism. Increased calcium intake is reported to inhibit lipogenesis, stimulate lipolysis, lipid oxidation, and the excretion of fecal fat, thus accelerating weight and fat loss.”
“Although a cup of yogurt has the same amount of calcium as a cup of milk, it is believed that because yogurt is acidic, it increases the percentage of calcium absorption, and more calcium prevents weight gain. Also, yogurt has significant amounts of probiotics that may modulate the gut microbiota and prevent weight gain. Yogurt’s semi-solid matrix creates a feeling of fullness and thus may reduce feelings of hunger.” The researchers also note that “yogurt consumption indicates a healthier lifestyle. Analyzes show that yogurt’s favorable association with obesity prevention also depends on physical activity and AHEI (Alternative Healthy Eating Index) scores.”
Reference:
Dairy Foods, Weight Change, and Risk of Obesity During the Menopausal Transition, Yuan. M., et al, Journal of Nutrition https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.01.001
