Yogurt is a delightful dairy product which is delicious in taste and can add on with various favours. It is truly a sinless indulgence as it offers huge health benefits which are tough to be counter parted by another dairy product. Now a days you can opt from varieties of yogurt, from plain to flavoured, high fat to low fat, sweet and salted. Apart from that a simple homemade preparation of yogurt and you can treat yourself. It is very good for digestive system, the bacteria present in yogurt decomposes protein and makes it easier for the resulting amino acid to be absorbed effectively in the digestive tract. People suffering from lactose intolerance can dive for yogurt as it is one dairy product suggested to them. yogurt is enriched with protein made from milk and bacteria. The protein content is equivalent to meats and eggs. It is rich in 22 amino acids like all proteins . It contains a good amount of Vitamin A, B and D. A suggestion while opting yogurt, go for the unsweetened variety, as the sweetened variety makes use of preservatives which are not healthy.
The health benefits of yogurt apart from high digestion is associated with several other benefits like
Healthy intestinal system
Yogurt helps in achieving a healthy intestinal system. The active cultures that are present in yogurt have been proven to help certain gastrointestinal conditions. Yogurt, however, because it contains less lactose and more lactase, is usually well tolerated by healing intestines.
It decreases yeast infections
Researches have proved that daily consumption of yogurt that contains live and active cultures reduces the amount of yeast colonies in the vagina and decreases the incidence of vaginal yeast infections.
Rich calcium source
Another rich benefit of consuming yogurt is that as a dairy product it is rich in calcium which helps in the bone development and makes the bone stronger. An 8 ounce serving of most yogurts provides 450 mg of calcium, one half of a child’s RDA and 30 to 40 percent of adult RDA for calcium.
Lowers cholesterol
There are few studies which has shown the power of yogurt in lowering down the blood cholesterol. This is due to the fact that live cultures in yogurt can assimilate cholesterol and also because yogurt binds bile acids( which lowers cholestrol too)or both.
Losing weight and building muscles
yogurt is a great supplement both for reducing weight and building up muscle to get those curves, as it is high in protein and low in fat. For weight loss diet, go for low fat or no sugar yogurt.
It contributes to colon health
When eating yogurt you care for your colon in two ways. First, yogurt contains lactic bacteria, intestinal friendly bacteria cultures that foster a healthy colon and lowers the risk of colon cancer.
yogurt is therefore a “grow good”. The nutritional properties of yogurt can aid children with intestinal problems grow. It helps in absorption of minerals in the body as well. It is noticeable fact that people who are rich in consumption of yogurt witness a healthy old age and can surpass several health issues effectively. It is one source which soothes skin and helps in gaining a relief from stomach issues. If digestive benefits are among your top benefits of considering yogurt in your diet plan, don’t delay as several other benefits are accompanied with this amazing food.
It causes improvement in digestion
Mainly due to the nutrients which are available in curd it helps in the improvement of your digestion. If you eat curd before eating anything else then it will help absorb the nutrients from food items you eat later on. Studies have found that consumption of curd can cure infections such as many stomach infections, including H. Pylori infection.
It also boosts the immunity system
Because of the presence of good bacteria in curd, the immunity system of a person who eats curd strengthens helping that person have a better health. Daily consumption of it will prevent the occurrence vaginal yeast infection.
It makes the bones and teeth stronger
Curds also have calcium just like other dairy products which makes the bones and teeth stronger. It also has phosphorus which along with calcium helps in the growth of the bones. Daily consumption of curd prevents diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis.
It removes dandruff
Dandruff is nothing but a fungal infection and because curds have lactic acid in it, it has antifungal properties. Just apply curd on your scalp and wash it off after 1 hour or so using water.
It helps in releasing anxiety and stress
In today’s high competitive world, it’s tough to feel stressed but depression can have a very bad effect on your health. If you add curd in your diet, it will help you lowering down your anxiety and stress. Curd lower down the levels of activity which is directly related to pain and emotion in your brain.
It can be used as a substitute for milk
If you don’t want to drink milk then you can eat curd to get the same benefits which you get from milk. It is not easy for everyone to digest milk but they will be easily able to digest curd and not only that but also it will improve their digestive system and will help them feel better. Also if you are lactose intolerant then curd can be an alternative for you.
Tips
- Do not eat curd very much as you can face some issues because of it. Eating more than 250 – 300g of curd will lead to excess amount of calcium in your body for which you can face some complications.
- It is the best decision to eat plain yogurt. If you want for better taste chopped mint leaves, chopped cucumber, garlic, and other vegetables can be added to the curd. You can also add any fruit salad or just eat it by adding salt or sugar. Dishes like besan curry, raita, bhatura, aloo chaat are made using curd.
- Even though there are many advantages of curd, do not buy raw milk or unpasteurized yogurt. It would be good for you that if you ignore the Greek style yoghurt as it has zero water contents. Before buying yoghurt, check the expiry date printed on the container. It is also recommended that artificially flavored yoghurts should be avoided.
