Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet has long been recommended for better health, and yogurt has been hailed for years as a probiotic that can help your body in many ways. New research has added another benefit to the list: Consuming more fiber and yogurt can help protect you from lung cancer.

A study at Vanderbilt University found that women who ate 4 ounces of yogurt a day and men who ate 3 ounces daily had a 19% lower risk of lung cancer when compared with non-yogurt eaters. The study showed similar results for fiber. People who ate higher amounts of fiber had a 17% reduced risk for lung cancer compared with those had a lower intake.

The researchers analyzed data on more than 1.4 million men and women in the United States, Europe and Asia and adjusted for risk factors. They found the pattern was consistent among current, past and never smokers.

The research builds on studies that have shown some fiber and yogurt strains inhibit lung metastasis, enhance killer cell activity and have antitumor and anti-inflammatory qualities.

The results also echoed a similar study that found men who ate at least two servings of yogurt each week had a 19% lower risk for conventional colon polyps and a 26% lower risk of malignant polyps when compared with those who ate no yogurt.

The Vanderbilt study also found high fiber and yogurt eaters were more likely to have received a college degree, were less likely to smoke, consumed less alcohol and were more physically active.

So, if you already are a fan of yogurt and you try to have more fiber in your diet, here’s more encouragement to keep you on the right path. The benefits to your health are greater than you might think.