That yogurt you eat every day is now a COVID-fighting superfood

In new research published in the journal, Microbiome, researchers from the Ben Gurion University at the Negev determined that molecules from the probiotics found in yogurt can help fight inflammatory illness (including bowel disease (BD) and COVID-19 induced cytokine storms) and boost the immune systems of regular consumers.

“Probiotic milk-fermented microorganism mixtures (e.g., kefir, yogurt) are perceived and recognized as contributing to human health, and possibly capable of protecting against bacterial infections,” the authors wrote in the new paper.

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that contribute to digestion health. Besides supplements, yogurt is widely regarded as the best source of probiotics; particularly kefir, which is a type of fermented yogurt made by inoculating milk with microorganism mixtures.

“Co-existence and symbiosis of probiotic microorganisms are likely maintained via complex biological pathways, microorganism-secreted metabolites mediating intercellular communication, and other yet-unknown biochemical mechanisms,” the authors continued.

After isolating bacteria molecules found in kefir suspected to possess anti-inflammatory properties, the researchers administered them to sick mouse models.

Not only did these molecules effectively treat the mice inflicted with a lethal “cytokine storm” (extreme immune response triggered by a pathogen), but they also successfully restored their immune response to healthy levels.

“These results are notable since this is the first demonstration that virulence of human pathogenic bacteria can be mitigated by molecules secreted in probiotic milk products, such as yogurt or kefir,” Professor Daz Jelinek, who is one of the authors from the study, in a media release.

“In fact, our research illuminates for the first time a mechanism by which milk fermented probiotics can protect against pathogenic infections and aid the immune system. Following promising results in animal models, we look forward to administering these drug candidates to humans, for example to patients who are experiencing a cytokine storm due to COVID-19 infection, or people suffering from acute inflammatory bowel pathologies, such as Crohn’s disease.” 

In addition to preventing the conditions listed above, independently conducted research has suggested that habitual consumption of yogurt can help reduce one’s risk of developing the following:

• Skin conditions, like eczema
• Urinary and vaginal health
• Preventing allergies and colds
• Oral health
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites)
  Diarrhea caused by antibiotics

“In a reality where antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming an imminent threat, the novel molecules discovered by BGU scientists pave a completely new path for fighting bacterial infections by disrupting cell-cell communications in pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, the dramatic anti-inflammatory activities of the molecules may open new avenues for therapeutics and scientifically proven probiotic food products,” explains Josh Peleg, CEO of BGN Technologies in response to the new study.

“Years of breakthrough research have now reached a validation point that led to the establishment of a biopharma company for the further development and clinical evaluation of this exciting new technology that can potentially revolutionize the treatment of bacterial infections as well as inflammatory conditions,” he said.