Yogurt and human health across history, culture, and science: Lessons for modern aging populations

Yogurt is an ancient fermented milk product obtained through the action of specific lactic acid bacteria. It gained widespread modern popularity in the early 1900s when it was proposed as the secret to extending lifespan. In the 1950s, however, dairy fats became highly controversial due to its high saturated fat content, which formed the basis of the "diet-heart hypothesis." In recent decades, there has been a global resurgence of scientific and public interest in yogurt due to growing awareness of its distinct health benefits which are largely ascribed to its provision of probiotics and bioactive compounds. As such, yogurt products have been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach to modulate the production of gut microbiota-derived metabolites implicated in the development and progression of aging-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. However, numerous questions remain regarding its therapeutic potential and underlying biological mechanisms. In this review, we examine current evidence within historical and cultural contexts to help refine research hypotheses and inform public health strategies to support healthy aging, with a particular focus on cardiometabolic health.