Yogurt just may do a bout of bad breath some good. A new study suggests that a daily dose of yogurt may keep your breath fresh and help fend off offensive odors.
Researchers find that eating 6-ounces of yogurt a day reduces levels of odor-causing compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, in the mouth. They say the results suggest that the active bacteria in yogurt, specifically Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, may have a beneficial effect on odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
Before their study began, the researchers asked 24 healthy volunteers to avoid yogurt and other foods containing the same bacteria found in yogurt, such as cheese and pickled vegetables, for two weeks.
Researchers then took saliva and tongue coating samples to measure bacteria levels as well as odor-causing compounds, including hydrogen sulfide.
The participants then spent the following 6 weeks eating about 3-ounces of yogurt twice a day.
At the end of the study, researchers took samples again. They found that odiferous compounds, namely hydrogen sulfide, decreased in 80% of participants.
In addition, levels of plaque and the gum disease, gingivitis were also significantly lower among yogurt eaters.
Although further studies are needed to confirm these results, researchers say the study suggests that adding yogurt to your diet may be an effective way to fight bad breath.
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