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Making yogurt with ants

Scientists recreated a traditional Balkan yogurt recipe using ants, finding that the insects' natural chemicals and microbes can kickstart the fermentation process. The researchers tested live, frozen, and dehydrated ant products, concluding that only live ants are suitable for yogurt making.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2025

No more copy-pasting: DNA base editing for better Lactobacillus strains

A Kobe University team developed a DNA base editing technology that enables precise control over microorganism genetic content without using template DNA from other organisms. They successfully applied this technique to industrially important Lactobacillus strains, creating safer probiotics for people with type 2 diabetes.

SourceKobe University·JournalApplied Microbiology and Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2025

More calories – more consumption: Individuals with and without obesity both prefer high-calories food

A study published in PLOS Biology found that individuals with and without obesity prefer high-calorie foods, regardless of their taste or texture. The researchers used a large group of healthy volunteers to compare food preferences among three groups: individuals with obesity, post-bariatric surgery patients, and non-obese controls.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2024

New, simple, and natural method for producing vitamin B2

A team of researchers from DTU has successfully produced vitamin B2 using a novel, cost-effective, and climate-friendly method involving food-approved lactic acid bacteria. The production process requires only basic fermentation tools and can be integrated into traditional foods, enhancing public health and reducing environmental impact.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateDec 11, 2024

Honey added to yogurt supports probiotic cultures for digestive health

New studies from the University of Illinois found that adding honey to yogurt supports the survival of probiotic bacteria in the gut. The research suggests that pairing honey with yogurt is a delicious and healthy way to support digestive health and gut microbiome, with potential benefits for mood and cognition.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2024

Consumers empowered with the facts on dairy’s nutritional benefits buy and consume more dairy foods

A new study shows that education on dairy nutrition increases purchasing and consumption of dairy products, including a 53% increase in milk consumption. Participants who learned about dairy's nutritional benefits bought and consumed more cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and milk, with average increases of 26%, 20%, 26%, and 23%, respectively.

SourceElsevier·JournalJDS Communications·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 28, 2024

Scientists uncover how fermented-food bacteria can guard against depression, anxiety

Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered how Lactobacillus, a bacterium found in fermented foods and yogurt, influences mood disorders. The findings suggest that maintaining a healthy level of Lactobacillus may help prevent depression and anxiety by regulating immune response to stress.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·DateNov 30, 2023

Yogurt may be the next go-to garlic breath remedy

A new study found that whole milk plain yogurt prevented almost all of the volatile compounds responsible for garlic's pungent scent. The researchers suggest high-protein foods may one day be formulated specifically to fight garlic breath. Yogurt's proteins were effective at trapping garlic odors, making it a potential solution.

SourceOhio State University·JournalMolecules·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2023

NTU Singapore scientists develop a sustainable method to produce lactic acid, indispensable in industrial food production, using waste jackfruit seeds

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University have developed a sustainable method to produce lactic acid using discarded jackfruit seeds. The new process is cheaper and more efficient, reducing waste and environmental impact while addressing rising production costs.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalJournal of Functional Foods·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2023

That’s not nuts: Almond milk yogurt packs an overall greater nutritional punch than dairy-based

A University of Massachusetts Amherst food science major compared the nutritional values of plant-based and dairy yogurts, finding almond milk yogurt has a significantly higher nutrient density. Plant-based yogurts generally have less total sugar, sodium, and fiber than dairy, but less protein, calcium, and potassium.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·DateMay 30, 2023

Purified curcumin instead of artificial additives can be used to preserve and enhance probiotic yogurt

Researchers successfully add purified curcumin to probiotic yogurt, preserving its dissolved form and enhancing its health properties. The study shows that the curcumin inhibits yeast, fungi, and bacteria growth while maintaining the recommended levels of beneficial lactic acid bacteria.

SourcePolskie Towarzystwo Lipidologiczne (Polish Lipid Association)·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2023

Probotic-containing yogurt protects against microbiome changes that lead to antibiotic-induced diarrhea

A randomized clinical trial found that yogurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 protected against harmful changes in the gut microbiome after antibiotic administration. The study also showed that levels of beneficial short-chain fatty acid acetate returned to baseline within 30 days.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNutrients·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 14, 2021

Sugar in yogurt leaves a sour taste

A survey of 921 yogurts found that most had high sugar levels, with organic yogurts having the highest average content. Natural, Greek, and 'Greek-style' yogurts were exceptions, containing lower amounts of sugar and higher levels of protein.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalBMJ Open·DateSep 18, 2018

Techniques for reducing sugar content in dairy products show promise

Researchers review options to reduce sugar in ice cream, yogurt, and flavored milk without sacrificing flavor, finding sweetener blends and sugar reduction techniques promising. Techniques like sorbitol and sucralose, erythritol, and lactitol show potential for reducing sugar content, improving taste and texture.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateAug 20, 2018

Study shows yogurt may dampen chronic inflammation linked to multiple diseases

A recent study found that yogurt consumption can improve the integrity of the intestinal lining and reduce pro-inflammatory molecules, thereby reducing chronic inflammation. The study enrolled 120 premenopausal women who consumed either low-fat yogurt or non-dairy pudding for nine weeks, showing significant improvements in certain key ...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateMay 14, 2018

Microbes help turn Greek yogurt waste into fuel

Researchers use bacteria to convert leftover sugars and acids from Greek yogurt into molecules that can be used in biofuels or safe feedstock additives. The process produces valuable chemicals, including green antimicrobials and potential drop-in biofuels for jet fuel.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·DateDec 13, 2017

Seduced by the label

Research from the Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that smaller recommended serving sizes on nutrition labels can mislead consumers into purchasing more of unhealthy foods like cookies. Shoppers tend to ignore serving size differences and assume healthier products.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateJan 14, 2016

Vanilla yogurt makes us feel happy, suggests research

A new study published in Food Research International found that eating vanilla yoghurt can make people feel happy due to the pleasant surprise of tasting a different flavor. Researchers discovered that yoghurts with lower fat content also elicit stronger positive emotional responses.

SourceElsevier·JournalFood Research International·DateNov 9, 2015