“Specific foods may have an important role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.”

A new study in Diabetologia has found eating yoghurt can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 28 per cent. The same study also found consumption of other low-fat fermented dairy products, like cheese, could reduce risk by 24 per cent.

Researchers believe this could be linked to the high concentration of proteins, vitamins and minerals such as calcium in these foods.

Lead scientist Nita Forouhi from the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge says: “Specific foods may have an important role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.”