Yogurt Slows Aging: Japanese Trial Shows 2.2% Pace Reduction

In a 12‑week Japanese clinical trial, researchers observed that yogurt slows aging by an average of ↑ 2.2% in biological aging metrics among middle‑aged men.

Yogurt Slows Aging in Overweight Men

The study, published in Aging, enrolled 48 men aged 50‑74 with excess weight. Half consumed 100 g of plain yogurt containing the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB536 daily, while also receiving counseling to curb overeating and to engage in brisk walking or stair‑climbing for at least 30 minutes three times weekly.

The control group maintained usual habits. Using the DunedinPACE algorithm, investigators reported a “statistically significant reduction in the pace of aging” for the yogurt cohort, independent of any change in body‑mass index.

“The findings suggest modest diet and activity tweaks, plus a feasible daily yogurt habit, can produce short‑term shifts in aging biomarkers,” the authors wrote.

Beyond the aging metric, participants showed improvement in a DNA marker linked to kidney function. Because the protocol combined probiotics, diet advice, and exercise, the researchers cautioned against singling out any one factor.

The trial was funded by Morinaga Milk Industry, the developer of the BB536 strain, prompting calls for larger, longer‑term studies. Similar research cited by Reuters and Bloomberg has explored fermented dairy’s role in immune health, a topic that gained attention during the recent pandemic.

Words by Elena Rostova (Socio-Economic Trends Analyst).