Eating Yogurt as Flu Prevention?

on September 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM

yogurt, flu prevention Just read this article on NutritionData about a new study that suggests eating yogurt might work as prevention against flu.

Hmmm, I think with this possibly grueling flu season we're facing, we can use all the help we can get.

I heart yogurt. I could eat it almost every day. I sprinkle it with fruit, granola, nuts, honey, jam, and/or maple syrup. Yum. One of my favorite breakfasts. And don't get me started on FAGE Greek yogurt. When I tried this kind of yogurt for the first time, I fell in love with yogurt all over again.

So it's nice to know that yogurt consumption (my kids love it too, but they don't eat it as often as I do) might lend a helping hand against flu. It's all about the probiotics in the food.

Monica Reinagel, M.S., LD/N on NutritionData writes, "I noted that study with interest as well. The kids (about 300 of them, aged 3 to 5) were taking probiotic supplements or placebo pills twice a day. The kids getting the probiotics had about half as many fevers, coughs, and runny noses, took fewer prescriptions and missed fewer days of school.

We should note that the study was funded by a company that makes probiotic products. That said, the results were published in a peer-reviewed journal (Pediatrics) so the study design apparently passed muster."

Her suggested "dosage" of yogurt per day: "I'm thinking that a single serving of yogurt every day would be a reasonable start for kids and adults. But the amount of sugar (often high fructose corn syrup) in sweetened yogurts is shocking. I'd advise you to steer clear of sweetened (and artificially-sweetened) yogurts and go for the plain yogurt. Sweeten (if you must) with fruit or a drizzle of honey."

Yogurt and hand washing. Sounds like a perfect autumn to me.

Are you a fan of yogurt? What about your kids? Do they eat yogurt often?

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About the author Sheri Reed

is a writer and the Entertainment, News & Sports editor for The Stir. She loves a good film, watches lots of good TV and follows Ryan Gosling's every move because she has to -- for work.

Filed Under: cold & flu, eating healthy, swine flu

Comments (9)

justanotherjen

on Sep 24, 2009 at 11:53 AM

Hmmm, maybe that explains why my kids are hardly ever sick but I get the flu every winter, lol. I like yogurt but really only apricot or peach flavor.

My kids, though, devour the stuff. Yeah, we get the stuff with the high fructose corn syrup but they'd probably eat it plain, too. Mostly we buy gogurt and they eat at least 1 tube every day (I try to limit them to just 1). In the summer they freeze it and eat it like ice cream. It's usually their snack after school. I can't keep the stuff in the house.

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momoflilangel

on Sep 24, 2009 at 12:40 PM

My daughter eats Stoneyfield Yo Kids Organic yogurt. And I buy Breyers All Natural yogurt. My daughter eats it every night before bed.

Cafe Sheri

on Sep 24, 2009 at 12:58 PM

@momoflilangel, and as much as you can tell, how's her tolerance to cold and flu?

I'm dying to know from all you moms with yogurt-guzzling kids if this study might actually have some validity.

aurorabunny

on Sep 24, 2009 at 5:22 PM

Since milk is bad for you in the first place and causes excess mucous production...

These studies annoy me so much that they ALWAYS have to try and make money. Probiotics are cheapest and easiest to get in pill form, minus yicky dairy products.

mistynights234

on Sep 24, 2009 at 10:12 PM

There is alot worse things for you then yogurt lol..........breathing the air in large cities can cause excess mucous production :)

on Sep 24, 2009 at 10:18 PM

Actually there's not...anything containing milk is horrible for you.

RanaAurora

on Sep 24, 2009 at 10:57 PM

I love my dairy, though Katie is right - it's not great for you.

I take a probiotic acidopholus pill and vitamin D, in addition to other things, so I don't need extra from yogurt.

septembergirl

on Oct 1, 2009 at 9:02 AM

My mother just mentioned this the other day! I have been giving my son who has autism yogurt everyday for the last couple of weeks. He had developed a really bad yeast rash, & had suddenly regressed in his behavior along with that. I had read some studies that link the overgrowth of yeast in the body to an increase in ausistic traits in children with autism. I wanted to give him the acidopholus supplement that I had, but the bottle said not to give to children under 18. So I started giving him yogurt instead...the yeast rash is nearly gone & his behavior is improving every day. I do need to try plain because sugar feeds yeast, but I am happy with the results we're seeing. And if it keeps him from getting the flu bugs too, all the better!