The tangy tasting byproduct of milk is perhaps the most nutrient-rich dairy product there is.
Yogurt or curd is made using what is called “Yogurt cultures” which ferments lactose, a form of natural sugar found in milk into lactic acid. This process curdles the milk, making it taste tangy or little bitter.
There are several varieties of yogurt you can find at the supermarkets near you. However, the unflavoured and unsweetened white yogurt is what good for your health.
Sweetened, and flavored yogurt contains chemical compounds that are harmful to your health when consumed regularly.
So what are the benefits of consuming plain yogurt? lets find out.
It is a rich source of protein
Yogurt is an excellent source of protein. Consuming around 100 grams of yogurt will supply your body with 6 grams of protein.
There is no need to stress the importance of protein in your diet. It speeds up your metabolism and supplies your body with enough energy throughout the day.
Protein-rich diet will help you to fight fatigue that often sets in after a hard workout session. Additionally, it gives your stomach the feeling of fullness by inducing the production of hormones responsible for the same.
This means you will consume less number of overall calories, which is essential to materialize your weight loss goals.
Yogurt being a rich source of protein, it is a perfect ingredient to add to our everyday diet to satisfy your body’s daily protein need.
It improves your gut health
Yogurt which has live bacterias in them are considered to be good for your digestive health.
These live bacterias or probiotics improve your gut health and also increase your body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Studies have shown probiotics found in yogurt greatly helps to reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Unfortunately, many manufacturers of yogurt pasteurise it, which involves heat to kill off the bacterias to improve its shelf life.
Look for the ones that contain live and active cultures if you want to reap the benefits of probiotics.
It strengthens your immune system
Being a rich source of probiotic yogurt may help to strengthen your immune system and counteract the illness associated with weak immune.
Studies have shown probiotics are very helpful in reducing inflammations that are linked to viral infections and other health disorders.
Other than being a good source of probiotics, it also contains magnesium, selenium, zinc and many other trace minerals that are known to strengthen the immune system.
May prevent osteoporosis
Weak bone is a common problem among old age people and women who are past menopause.
Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become porous and fragile due to the deficiency of two vital nutrients namely calcium and phosphate.
People suffering from this condition can easily fracture their bones due to low bone density.
Fortunately, yogurt is a good source of both calcium, phosphorus, potassium, protein, and in some cases vitamin-D.
All of these nutrients play a great role in strengthening your bones and preventing osteoporosis.
Research has shown that consuming at least three servings of yogurt every day greatly helps to strengthen your bones and prevent bone-related disorders.
If you have weak bones, look for a variety that has been fortified with vitamin-D for added benefits.
It may protect you from cardiovascular diseases
Some people believe that yogurt might be bad for their heart due to its fat content. However, there are no evidences to back this belief.
Consuming yogurt may, in fact, benefit your heart’s health. Studies have found saturated fats present in yogurt is actually covered to HDL or good cholesterol in your body, which is known to protect your heart.
There are other studies that have shown consuming yogurt regularly will help to regulate and reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
May help with weight loss
Again this is contrary to the popular belief that yogurt promotes weight gain.
For starters, yogurt has high levels of protein, and really low in calories. Furthermore, yogurt increases the secretion of hormones that reduces your appetite by increasing the feeling of fullness, which makes you eat less, helping you to lose weight.
Yogurt is also rich in many nutrients making it a wonderful food choice if you want to lose weight without compromising on the amount of nutrient intake.