Recent studies have reignited the debate surrounding the health benefits of milk and cheese, particularly their effects on gut health. Researchers have found that milk consumption could enhance gut health by increasing specific beneficial bacteria, while cheese might have the opposite effect. Conducted by a team at Baylor College of Medicine, the study aimed to explore how dairy products influence gut bacteria, offering fresh insights into dietary choices and their implications.
Li Jiao, MD, MS, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine-Gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine, led the research. The study focused on two key bacteria: Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia, both known for their vital roles in maintaining a healthy gut. According to Dr. Jiao, these bacteria help regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the gut lining.
“Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia are two common bacteria essential for a healthy gut,” said Li Jiao, MD, MS, PhD.
“Both can help regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and promote a healthy gut. Akkermansia, in addition, helps maintain and strengthen the gut lining. They are considered beneficial for our health based on the current evidence,” Dr. Jiao elaborated.
The study revealed that milk consumption was correlated with an increase in these beneficial bacteria. On the other hand, higher cheese intake appeared to reduce the diversity of gut bacteria, specifically affecting Bacteroides colonies. Despite this finding, Dr. Jiao noted that Bacteroides species could have both beneficial and harmful effects.
“Meanwhile, higher consumption of cheese reduced was related to a lower diversity of the gut bacteria in our study. However, some species of Bacteroides can have both beneficial and harmful effects. Therefore, interpreting the results is not straightforward. More research is needed to understand the different strains of Bacteroides and their roles in the human body,” Dr. Jiao explained.
The study excluded participants with a family history of colon diseases or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal polyps within the previous three years, and those with conditions or medications that might affect the results. This careful selection aimed to provide a clearer understanding of dairy's impact on gut microbiota.
“We set out to study dairy products and their impacts on gut bacteria for two main reasons,” stated Dr. Jiao.
“One, fermented foods are thought to influence gut microbiota. Many dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, are fermented foods. Two, there is still some debate about whether milk and cheese are good for our health. This study was meant to provide more biological evidence about the health impacts of milk and cheese,” she added.
Despite these findings, experts like Bedford emphasize the need for further research to fully comprehend dairy products' role in gut health.
“I’d like researchers to break down the types of cheeses that are actually associated with lowering the Bacteroides colonies, and whether or not the processing of the cheeses really has more to do with that than not,” said Bedford.
“It makes sense in that the process of pasteurizing cheese versus what we do with milk are quite different, and there are different potential bacteria that are involved in either both processes or what’s actually left after the process is finished,” Bedford noted.
The Mediterranean diet, often recommended for patients with IBD, includes various dairy products like yogurt that are believed to positively influence gut health through their fermented nature.
“A diverse microbiota is more resilient to external disturbance such as infections, changes in diet, and antibiotic use, allowing for a quicker recovery. It is like a forest with many different types of trees that can recover faster from natural disasters,” Dr. Jiao remarked.
For individuals without lactose intolerance, low-fat dairy products may enhance beneficial bacteria and gut microbiota diversity.
“For people who aren’t lactose intolerant, consumption of low-fat dairy products may boost these beneficial bacteria and the diversity of the gut microbiota. Those with lactose intolerance issues may opt for yogurt, kefir, lactose-free dairy, or dairy alternatives. However, it is important to pay attention to how your body responds to dairy products,” Dr. Jiao advised.
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