Daily yoghurt intake linked to brain changes in new study

EATING probiotic yoghurt every day may influence brain activity linked to mood and memory, according to new research from Deakin University’s Food and Mood Centre.

The study followed 40 healthy women who consumed either a probiotic yoghurt or a visually identical non-fermented dairy product each day for eight weeks.

Participants underwent brain scans, blood tests and gut microbiome sampling before and after the trial.

Researchers found stronger communication between brain regions involved in memory and mood – including the hippocampus and frontal areas – in participants who ate the probiotic yoghurt.

The group also showed signs of increase antioxidant activity in the brain, along with measurable differences in gut microbiome composition compared with the placebo group.

Deputy director of the Food and Mood Centre, Dr Wolfgang Marx, said said the findings provide early insight into how fermented foods may interact with brain biology.

“This study provides preliminary evidence that fermented foods can affect the brain, not just the gut,” Dr Marx said.

“It’s an exciting step forward in showing that the gut-brain connection is real and may be influenced by everyday foods like probiotic yoghurt.

“However, this was a small early-stage trial, so much larger studies are needed to confirm these results and understand whether they translate to improvements in mood or mental health.”

Food and Mood Centre director, Professor Felice Jacka, said the results add to growing evidence linking diet and brain health.

“These findings suggest that fermented foods like yoghurt may have measurable effects on brain biology,” she said.

“Fermented foods are a healthy and enjoyable part of many diets, and studies like this help us understand the biological pathways linking nutrition and mental health.”

The research was conducted independently by Deakin University, with yoghurt and placebo products supplied by Bega Group using its Farmers Union Greek Style Probiotic Yogurt.

Bega Group’s group manager of nutrition, Katrina Strazdins, said the company welcomed the findings.

“It’s exciting to see evidence that enjoying probiotic yogurt may benefit not just our digestive health, but our brains as well,” she said.