Is yogurt good for you? That is a a great question. Over the past few decades, the use of yogurt in everyday life has increased sharply. People nowadays are using it as an ingredient for gourmet meals and deserts, as a frozen delicacy in different fruity flavors or plainly by itself. After milk, it is one of the most common dairy products found anywhere. But is yogurt actually healthy? What exactly is the factor that has made this product so popular among people? In short terms, is yogurt actually good for you? To answer the questions, here are a few noteworthy benefits of plain yogurt :
1. Yogurt helps fight against osteoporosis
Yogurt is a primary source of calcium and vitamin D, which are excellent elements for preventing osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D combine to help bones attain strength, which provides body with a strong skeletal structure to cope with the risk of the unwanted condition.
2. Yogurt helps regulate blood pressure
According to a scientific study, people who regularly made use of dairy products, particularly yogurt, reduced the risk of high blood pressure by a huge 50 %, as compared to subjects who had no consumption of yogurt regularly.
3. Yogurt may also help the digestive system
Studies have shown that consumption of yogurt reduces the risk of symptoms such as constipation,
colon cancer and diarrhea. Yogurt is also known to have helped regulate bowel movements, as well as strengthen the immune system. It also contains a special compound which helps fight against the H. pylori infection in the stomach and small intestine.
4. Yogurt makes one feel full
Because yogurt is a low calorie food, consuming in large amounts does not make one fat, but it does make one feel fuller. This is particularly helpful for those who frequently have midnight cravings, as instead of eating huge amounts of unhealthy junk such as calorie-rich brownies, one may choose to eat a bowl of yogurt.
5. Yogurt is good for the lactose intolerant
People who cannot consume dairy products because they are lactose intolerant may eat yogurt as much as they want. This is because the lactose in the milk is converted into lactic acid during the transition to yogurt by the bacterial cultures. Added compounds to the yogurt during manufacture, such as kefir, can also further reduce the effects of lactose in the product.
7. Changing the way it’s used does not reduce its benefits
Yogurt can be consumed in so many different forms; with cereal during breakfast, blended with fruits as a smoothie, as an ingredient in different culinary dishes, as a dip for vegetables, as a salad dressing, or even as a garnishing, and every time the health benefits do not dilute. It is the ultimate dairy product!
No matter how you consume it, yogurt is indeed good for you. Not only can it be used in many forms, but is also good for all parts of the body, including the digestive system, the bones and the immune system, not to mention the fact that it is absolutely delicious too. Yogurt is definitely the dairy product to have in every household. Start consuming it regularly if you don’t already!
Johanna Oosterwijk, ND
Shambhala Wellness
