The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has formally announced the first-ever qualified health claim for yogurt, recognizing a potential link between its regular consumption and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Coming in response to a petition filed by Danone North America, the stated claim basically says that “eating at least 2 cups (3 servings) of yogurt per week, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.” Interestingly enough, though, the announcement also came after five years-long worth of due diligence, where the FDA reviewed existing research on yogurt and type 2 diabetes, covering data from over 300,000 individuals and eventually discovering that yogurt’s presence in the typical American diet could have a benefit to public health. Assuming these findings do translate to reality, they can mark a major moment for US, where diabetes is actually one of the top 10 causes of death. You see, going by the numbers, the stated condition currently impacts more than 37 million Americans, with 1.4 million new cases diagnosed every year. Out of the given contingent, majority are chalked up as type 2 diabetes, a stage that can be managed using simple lifestyle changes, such as being more active and eating nutrient-rich foods. Looking to become part of that nutrient-rich diet, yogurt delivers at our disposal various other benefits. You see, for instance, a combo including calcium, vitamin D, and protein found within the given superfood is known for encouraging greater bone and muscle health. To understand the significance this detail holds, we must take into account that, even though Dietary Guidelines for Americans list calcium and vitamin D as two critical nutrients for overall health, they remain largely under-consumed throughout the country.
“We know that a growing body of research suggests regular yogurt consumption could reduce your risk of developing one of the most significant and rapidly rising health ailments in the United States,” said Miguel Freitas, Ph.D., Vice President of Health and Scientific Affairs at Danone North America. “That’s why we decided to submit a petition for this first-of-its-kind qualified health claim. Our hope is that this announcement will empower consumers with simple, actionable information they can use to help lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes through a realistic, easy-to-make dietary modification.”
Leading this charge to make yogurt a mainstay across people’s diet is, of course, Danone North America. Founded back in 1942, the company has tried to innovate with yogurt by providing options like Oikos Triple Zero, Light + Fit yogurt, and a variety of plain, unsweetened and unflavored options, such as Oikos Anything But Plain and Danone Plain. Beyond yogurt, though, Danone also recently invested a sum worth $22 million to improve education on, access to, and availability of nutritious and health-promoting foods by 2030. This, of course, slides next to its already strong portfolio of health-focused, fast-growing and on-trend brands including: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Happy Family® Organics, Horizon® Organic, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, and Oikos® etc.
“Not only is yogurt a valuable source of important nutrients, it’s also incredibly versatile,” said Amanda Blechman, registered dietitian and Director of Health and Scientific Affairs at Danone North America. “That makes it easy to incorporate into your daily routine in a way that suits your unique needs and preferences. Yogurt is a staple in my family’s grocery cart, and we like to enjoy it with fruit, mix it into smoothies, dips, and dressings, and even use it as a cooking or baking ingredient.”
