Fermented milk
Fermented milk has been studied in 6 papers since 2021: 2 observational studies in people, 1 in animals, 3 reviews; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Feb 26, 2026: “Fermented foods consumption, all-cause, and cause-specific mortality: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies”.
6 papers study it8 findingsUpdated
See all 6 papers on fermented milk
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 3 independent labs in 2 countries.
“the group consuming fermented milk products ≥3 days/week showed significantly faster walking speeds than the <3 days/week group.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 2 countries
- Funders: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and 3 more
- 3 of 8 findings with company ties
- Humans2
- Animals1
What did studies of fermented milk find?
5Studies of fermented milk measured 5 outcomes; the most studied are walking speed decline (1 study), walking speed (1) and TNF-alpha (1).
Walking speed decline
downin humans1
1 study
Walking speed decline
downin humans1
Fermented milk is linked with lower walking speed decline in humans.
“5-year prospective study confirmed a clear relationship between the frequency of consumption of fermented milk products and the suppression of preferred walking speed decline.”
Humans5 yearsn = 240
Beneficial microbes
Walking speed
upin humans1
1 study
Walking speed
upin humans1
Fermented milk is linked with better walking speed in humans after adjustment for potential confounders.
“the group consuming fermented milk products ≥3 days/week showed significantly faster walking speeds than the <3 days/week group.”
Humansafter adjustment for potential confounders≥3 days/week vs <3 days/week
Beneficial microbes
TNF-alpha
downin mice1
1 study
TNF-alpha
downin mice1
Fermented milk decreases TNF-alpha in mice.
“Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, an inhibitor of protein anabolism, were lower in the fermented milk group.”
AnimalsLactococcus cremoris subsp. cremoris FC-fermented300 μL/day, every alternate day8 weeksmales
Biochemical and biophysical research communications
mTOR signaling
upin mice1
1 study
mTOR signaling
upin mice1
Fermented milk activates mTOR signaling in mice.
“phosphorylation levels of anabolic signaling factors (mTOR and p70S6K) were higher after fermented milk supplementation”
AnimalsLactococcus cremoris subsp. cremoris FC-fermented300 μL/day, every alternate day8 weeksmales
Biochemical and biophysical research communications
Soleus muscle weight
upin mice1
1 study
Soleus muscle weight
upin mice1
Fermented milk increases soleus muscle weight in mice.
“Soleus muscle weight was higher in the fermented milk group than in the control group.”
AnimalsLactococcus cremoris subsp. cremoris FC-fermentedsoleus muscle300 μL/day, every alternate day8 weeksmales
Biochemical and biophysical research communications
What is fermented milk linked with?
3Studies link fermented milk with 3 measures, most often cancer mortality (1 study), cardiovascular disease mortality (1) and mortality (1).
Cancer mortality
downin humans1
1 study
Cancer mortality
downin humans1
Fermented milk lowers the risk of cancer mortality in humans.
“Fermented milk consumption also showed a protective association with cancer mortality.”
Review
Frontiers in nutrition
Cardiovascular disease mortality
downin humans1
1 study
Cardiovascular disease mortality
downin humans1
Fermented milk lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in humans.
“Higher consumption of chocolate, cheese, and fermented milks (including yogurt) was associated with lower all-cause and CVD mortality.”
Review
Frontiers in nutrition
Mortality
downin humans1
1 study
Mortality
downin humans1
Fermented milk lowers the risk of mortality in humans.
“Higher consumption of chocolate, cheese, and fermented milks (including yogurt) was associated with lower all-cause and CVD mortality.”
Review
Frontiers in nutrition