The authors of this research had one main question, which was: “Does an association exist between risk of lung cancer and habitual intakes of dietary fiber (the main source of prebiotics) or yogurt (a probiotic food)?”

Before diving in, some clarifying definitions:

Prebiotic Fiber: these are certain fruits and vegetables that we are not able to properly digest, such as bananas, apple skins, beans, some roots, even onions and garlic. These foods eventually become fermented in the large intestine, which leads to the nourishment of our beneficial gut bacteria and increasing their numbers.

Probiotics: these are our good and beneficial gut bacteria that are created via consumption of certain fermented foods like kimchi, yogurt, kombucha, kefir. Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium are two well known gut bacteria and probiotics. They help aid digestion and fortify the immune system.

The authors reviewed over 1 million people across Europe, Asia, and the united states and found that people with high intake of pre- and probiotics such as yogurt and dietary fiber, there was an associated reduced risk of lung cancer. Understand that this does not mean that by eating fiber and yogurt you will not get cancer. It simply means that these foods are beneficial and can reduce the risk of future development of cancer. Prevention, in all cases, is the key to good health and living better. So, go on and enjoy your legumes and Icelandic yogurt.