High-Fat Yogurt May Be Better Than Low-Fat Yogurt for Weight Loss

Low-fat yogurt is a great source of protein and is often included in weight loss diets. A recent study suggests, however, that full-fat yogurt may be a better option than low-fat yogurt for people trying to lose weight.

Participants in the study included 8,516 men and women of normal weight. The researchers followed their eating habits for two years and found that eating 125 grams of full-fat yogurt once daily was associated with a 19% lower risk of being obese.

Additionally, the researchers found that eating people who ate full-fat yogurt and followed the Mediterranean diet were the least likely to be obese. The Mediterranean diet contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains but low levels of meats and saturated fats.

The participants who didn’t eat yogurt or follow a Mediterranean diet were 36% more likely to be obese than those who did.

The researchers weren’t entirely sure why the full-fat yogurt was associated with a lower risk of obesity and low-fat yogurt wasn’t, but they hypothesized that it had to do with the amount of sugar that is sometimes added to low-fat yogurt. They also suggested that high-fat yogurt may contain more beneficial bacteria.

Researchers from the University of Navarra in Spain conducted the study. It was presented at the Congress on Obesity, which took place from May 28-31, 2014 in Bulgaria.

Previous studies have shown yogurt to improve bone health, provide good bacteria for gut health, and it may even be associated with weight loss. Previous research has shown that the Mediterranean diet may improve heart health, lower the risk of diabetes, asthma, lower rates of obesity and even decrease the overall risk of mortality.