OBESE kids should eat more yoghurt in order to boost their weight loss, doctors have revealed.
They say the probiotics, may also reduce their risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
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A new study found eating yoghurt is “an effective strategy” when it comes to preventing obesity in kids – and it’s all down to the gut microbiome, scientists believe.
The research, conducted at Fuzhou Children’s Hospital of Fujian, China looked at how probiotics affect the health of obese kids, aged 6-14 years old.
All 54 of the children involved were following a reduced-calorie diet combined with an exercise regime.
Their body weight and markers of metabolic health such as blood sugar levels and insulin levels were measured before and at the end of the 12-week study.
Metabolic health
The results showed that the kids treated with probiotic supplements, which is found in some yoghurts, lost significantly more weight and had lower levels of markers that indicate poor metabolic health.
Scientists believe the probiotics help boost levels of good bacteria in the gut – which helps maintain a healthy weight.
Professor Rui-Min Chen, who led the study, said: “Our findings suggest that probiotic supplementation may help with weight loss and improve metabolic health in obese children, and that this may be an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of obesity in the future.”
Despite this, Professor Chen cautioned that there are still more studies needed to confirm the benefits.
He added: “More work is needed to confirm these findings, our number of participants was small and limited to the Fuijan area.
“Other studies have also reported no benefits from probiotic treatment in obese children but these were much shorter in duration.
“So, further investigation is needed before any medical recommendations can be made.”
Further studies
His team now plan to conduct larger trials examining the effect of probiotics on the metabolic health of obese children, and to extend their investigations to analyse how they alter the gut, with the aim of better understanding the link between gut bacteria and obesity risk.
Prof Chen said: “Childhood obesity is a growing problem that needs early intervention to prevent long-term health problems; microbiome-based treatments could be a new and more effective strategy for tackling this serious epidemic.”
Reduce blood sugar
The revelation comes after Meghan Markle’s nutritionist said you can lose weight by eating a spoonful of yoghurt before every meal.
Gabriela Peacock, who shaped Meghan’s pre-wedding diet, claims the dairy dish will help blitz body fat by tricking your body into reducing insulin and blood sugar spikes.
She said: “I tell my clients to eat some spoonfuls of yoghurt before a meal.
“By starting your meal with protein as opposed to carbohydrate, you reduce the insulin and blood sugar spikes that come from releasing carbs into your blood stream.
“So having a bit of yoghurt – or some cheese or ham – is a useful trick.”
Similarly, a recent study undertaken at the University of Tennessee revealed just how good yoghurt is for blitzing belly fat.
The results revealed that participants who ate 18 ounces of yoghurt per day (as well as reducing their overall calorie intake) lost, on average, 81 per cent more belly fat compared to those who opted to diet without eating yoghurt.
It’s also a great source for vitamins and minerals too, with zinc, iodine, potassium and vitamin B5 all active within yoghurt.
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