Could a daily yogurt habit help protect your child from asthma? A new analysis of 119,372 children suggests a possible link, but the evidence is far from solid.
Researchers pooled data from multiple studies and found that children who ate fermented dairy products, like yogurt and kefir, had lower odds of developing asthma or wheeze. The overall odds were about 28% lower, but this finding disappeared when they used a stricter statistical method. That means the apparent benefit could be due to chance or other factors.
The strongest link appeared in cross-sectional studies, which look at a single point in time. Those showed a 49% lower odds. But in cohort studies, which follow children over time, there was no significant association. This difference suggests that how the studies were designed may have influenced the results.
The researchers rated the overall evidence as very low certainty, and there was a lot of variation between studies. So while fermented dairy might play a role, we can't say for sure. If you're wondering whether to add yogurt to your child's diet, it's a healthy choice anyway, but don't expect it to prevent asthma based on this alone. Talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns.
Common questions
Does eating yogurt prevent asthma in children?
This analysis found a possible link between fermented dairy and lower odds of asthma or wheeze, but the evidence is not strong enough to say yogurt prevents asthma. The association disappeared when researchers used a stricter statistical method, and the overall certainty was very low. More research is needed before we can make any recommendations.
What is fermented dairy?
Fermented dairy includes foods like yogurt, kefir, and some cheeses. These are made by adding live bacteria to milk, which ferments the sugars. In this study, children who ate these foods had lower odds of asthma or wheeze in some analyses, but the link was not consistent across all study types.
Is it safe for children to eat fermented dairy?
The study did not report any safety issues or side effects from eating fermented dairy. Fermented dairy is generally considered safe for children, but if your child has a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, you should talk to your doctor before adding these foods to their diet.
Why did the results differ between study types?
Cross-sectional studies, which look at a single moment, showed a stronger link between fermented dairy and lower asthma risk. But cohort studies, which follow children over time, found no significant association. This difference suggests that the way the studies were designed may have influenced the results, and the overall evidence is very uncertain.
