Background and Aims: Yogurt consumption has been documented to positively affect the human health over the years due to its naturally occurring probiotics, its zinc and protein contents that can improve the digestive and human health. Frequent yogurt consumption can help reduce the incidence, duration and the severity of infections due to the immunostimulatory effects that improve the immune system. This study aims to evaluate the effects of yogurt consumption on the immune system among female medical students at An-Najah National University.

Methods and Results: A controlled before and after study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of daily fresh yogurt consumption on the immune system among female medical students over a period of 30 days. All participants aged between 21-24 years, and were within the normal BMI range (18.5- 24.9). The major study outcomes were cytokines levels: IFNγ, IL-8, IL-6, and IL-10 that were measured at three times interval (day 0, 14 and 30).  A food frequency questionnaire, validated tools were designed to collect information on the usual diet, physical activity, sleep quality and stress levels of the participants. Those who agreed to participate were asked to consume 120 g of fresh yogurt along with their usual diet. A bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was done to all participants to evaluate the body composition. Results show a significant increase of INFγ (P-value=0.022) and IL-6 (P- value=0.035) serum levels in participants with higher body fat percentage after 30 days of yogurt consumption. In the participant with a BMI of 24, there was a significant increase in INFγ (P-value=0.000) and IL-6 (P- value=.085) after 30 days of yogurt consumption. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between physical activity and IL-6 concentration at day 30 (P-value=0.094). There is a significant negative correlation between previous Covid-19 infection and IL-10 concentration at day 30 (P-value=0.235). 

Conclusion: Yogurt consumption exerts immunostimulatory effects due to its increase of INFγ and IL-6 after a minimum of 30 days period of daily yogurt consumption. No significant effects on other measured cytokines over the study period that could be related to several factors. This study had a small sample size and participants were recommended to consume their usual diet which could be related to the unexpected change in the cytokines. A larger sample size may be required to detect a significant effect on immunity.

عنوان المؤتمر

"The 2nd International Conference on Applied Medical Sciences 2023 and The International "Conference on Enhancing Clinical Nutrition in Palestine - ECNAD Project

دولة المؤتمر

فلسطين

تاريخ المؤتمر

15 مارس، 2023 - 16 مارس، 2023

راعي المؤتمر

ERASMUS +, Al Azhar University