Yogurt is great in so many ways. Quite a lot of people eat it on a regular basis as a healthy and natural alternative to the common dessert that most of us are used to. And it has been on records for hundreds of years that eating yogurt regularly can boost several aspects of your health.
How Yogurt is Made
Basically, yogurt is gotten by the bacterial fermentation of milk. The whole point of this fermentation process is to get the lactose in milk (also known as milk sugar) to produce lactic acid. The soft gel, which is the end product of the fermentation process, is as a result of the effects of the lactic acid on the milk. This acid also decreases the pH balance of the milk, causing it to clot and taste sour.
The sour taste of yogurt can be sweetened in a lot of ways (that is if you can’t stand it).
Without further ado, let’s get right into the 10 top benefits of making yogurt a regular part of your diet.
1. Yogurt is Rich in Nutrients
There are so many nutrients found in yogurt, which is the reason they are very good for your health. Some of these nutrients are protein, calcium, vitamins (except vitamin D), phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, etc.
We eat processed foods a lot, which is not so good for our body. For one, these processed foods lack proper nutrients in them – a big reason to worry. Making yogurt a regular part of your diet can give you most of the nutrients you need and help you live healthy and hearty.
2. Yogurt Eases the Digestive System
Yogurt is what it is because of the multitude of live cultured bacteria it contains. These same bacteria give yogurt its sour taste, the gel-like consistency, and the ability to play a role in the digestion of food.
If you ever catch yourself going through digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, you can count on a cup of yogurt or two to solve the problem. You have to give it time though. You don’t expect your constipation to go right away immediately after consuming a cup of yogurt. Also, you don’t have to keep eating cups and cups of yogurt at a time until your constipation, bloated belly, or diarrhea goes away. Take a moderate quantity, give it time to work its magic, and you’ll be just fine.
Wait; how much yogurt is safe for you?
3. Yogurt Can Protect Your Bones Against Osteoporosis
The other day, I came across a video of a 90-year-old woman dancing ballet and doing some gymnastic display on a vault all at the same time. Her posture was perfectly upright and she was daring with her gym displays and moves. It was so amazing that the video went viral on the internet.
Most people of her age have some degree of osteoporosis and do not even think of vaulting. What could be her secret? Many are of the opinion that she has been exercising since she was younger and eating right. I bet she also eats a lot of yogurts too, and other potassium-rich food to help keep her bones that strong.
4. Yogurt is A Good Weight Loss Diet
This is no brainer! Yogurt is a dairy product, and all dairy products are mostly rich in protein. When you eat a lot of protein in place of carbs, you’ll tend to lose weight and grow more muscles. If you eat more protein and work out as well, you’ll not only lose weight, but you’ll develop an awesome body. I believe the word for that is “ripped”.
Here is a bit of an explanation as to how yogurt can help you lose weight. You see, protein promotes metabolism – you are more energetic and proactive in your actions and thoughts. This increased level of metabolism increases the number of calories your body burns per day, thereby causing you to lose weight.
5. Yogurt is Good for Managing and Preventing Hypertension
If you take care of your health generally, your heart is going to thank you for it. Regular exercise, less stress, adequate rest, regular health check-ups, and eating healthy are some of the basic things that can help you prevent, or at least manage heart-related issues like hypertension.
Talking about eating healthy, yogurt should be on the list of healthy foods for practically anyone at all. Especially people living with hypertension.
The notable amount of potassium found in yogurt makes it possible to regulate the blood pressure in the human body. Cardiologists believe that potassium can cut down the level of sodium in your body, as well as decrease its reabsorption into the blood.
FYI, sodium is the main cause of high blood pressure, which often leads to kidney failure and hypertension.
6. Yogurt Triggers Vitamin B Production
There are a bunch of vitamins your body cannot produce on its own. One of them is vitamin B. To produce vitamin B, you’re going to have to put your body through a biological reaction. This biological reaction depends on the type of food you eat.
Taking a good quantity of yogurt on a more regular basis can facilitate the process that leads to the production of vitamin B in the body, amidst other nutrients. Some benefits of vitamin B are
- Increased energy
- Enhanced mood
- Better immune system
- Formation of blood cells
- Improved memory
- Healthier hair and skin
7. Yogurt can Strengthen your Immune System
Do you know how we mentioned that yogurt can help with proper digestion? Well, there is more to that than just fixing your belly related issues. One of the benefits of having a healthy digestive system is that it promotes your general well being and reduces your risk of getting sick.
When you have improved digestion, you’ll naturally enjoy proper absorption of nutrients and a top-notch immunity against infection.
8. Yogurt Acts as an Antidote While Using Antibiotics
Sometimes, when you’re sick, you’re advised by your doctor to take antibiotics. This is because antibiotics destroy disease-causing organisms, mostly bacteria – good and bad ones.
To restore the good bacteria in your body while you’re taking antibiotics, you can up your intake of yogurt as well. Doing that will improve the number of good bacteria in your system.
9. Yogurt Enhances Your Appearance
One way you can enhance your appearance is to eat yogurt regularly as well as use them on your skin. Yogurt contains lactic acid and zinc, both of which are effective in developing a healthy glowy complexion if you use them consistently on your skin.
You can use it as a facial mask once a week to improve your skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and fine lines from showing. It can also treat acne and prevent its recurrence.
10. Yogurt is a Reliable Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
You may already know that omega-3 fatty acid is one of the important nutrients your body need to function properly. It regulates blood pressure, aids in weight loss, fights cognitive decline, decreases inflammation, and prevents cancer. The fact that yogurt is rich in omega 3 fatty acid is more than enough reason to make it a part of your diet; especially if you’re a vegetarian.
All these benefits of yogurt are interesting, but you may not really get all of them if you solely depend on industrially produced yogurts. You can make your yogurt yourself and go the extra length to make sure the process of production is healthy. This way, you’re sure to gain all the benefits that yogurts have to offer.
The truth is that many companies add preservatives to their yogurt, and this changes the chemistry and reduces the benefits. If you don’t have the resources to make your yogurt yourself, you can do some research to find a reliable brand that makes healthy and nutritious yogurt.
