Yogurt – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

06/27/2017 / By Frances Bloomfield

Yogurt (also spelled “yoghurt”) is a fermented dairy product made by adding live bacteria culture to milk or cream. The process of making yogurt is simple: the bacteria, or yogurt cultures, ferment the natural sugars found in milk, creating lactic acid. The lactic acid then causes milk proteins to curdle, giving yogurt its signature sour flavor and thick consistency. Yogurt can be made from any type of milk or cream, but the healthiest variety is plain, unsweetened yogurt since it has the most nutrients and the least additives.

List of known nutrients

The probiotics, or friendly bacteria, in yogurt make it a highly beneficial drink. One type of probiotic in particular, Bifidobacteria, is notable for its ability to synthesize vitamins and promote better digestive health.

Depending on the kind of milk or cream used, yogurt can contain any or all of the following nutrients:

Acidophilus
Biotin
Calcium
Cysteine
Glutamine
Magnesium
Phenylalanine
Phosphorus
Potassium
Selenium
Tyrosine
Vitamin A
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Zinc

Medicinal uses for yogurt

Because yogurt is made from milk, it’s loaded with the necessary nutrients for strong bones. Calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and phosphorus are essential for bone mineralization, and for preventing osteoporosis. The stronger the bones, the less prone they are to weakening and breaking.

Frequently consuming natural yogurt can be good for other physical conditions, like:

Bladder infection
Cancer
Colds
Colon cancer
Constipation
Diarrhea
High cholesterol
Indigestion
Lactose intolerance
Osteoporosis
Stomach ulcers
Upper respiratory tract infections
Yeast infections

Body systems supported by yogurt

The wide spectrum of nutrients in yogurt can boost:

Bones
Heart
Immune system
Intestines

Ways to use yogurt

Plain, unsweetened yogurt is best due to other varieties having sugars or artificial sweeteners added to them, making them harmful when eaten in excess. The taste of plain yogurt can be off-putting to some, but this is easily remedied by the inclusion of fresh fruits, maple syrup, or honey.

Yogurt can be incorporated into a multitude of recipes. Hummus, soups, marinades, and salad dressings are good places to start. Yogurt can be used in place of butter or oil when baking breads, cakes, and pies. Additionally, yogurt can serve as a sour cream substitute for topping tacos and baked potatoes.

Note: Heat will kill the friendly bacteria in yogurt, minimizing its health benefits. To get the most out of this dairy product, eat it as is.

Where to learn more

Summary

Yogurt can act as an exceptional antibacterial agent for the digestive system. The probiotics can decrease the levels of bad bacteria in the gut to balance out the intestinal flora, as well as the risk of digestive ailments like constipation and diarrhea. Yogurt aids the gut further by encouraging a smooth and expedient digestive process.

Yogurt is high in protein: 12 grams of protein can be found in seven ounces of unsweetened yogurt. Proteins are necessary for metabolism and for controlling the appetite, so yogurt can boost metabolic rate and even aid in weight loss.

People suffering from lactose intolerance will usually find yogurt to be more tolerable than milk because of its low lactose content. Though its still best to try a small amount of yogurt first to gauge how the body will react to it.

Milk allergy sufferers should avoid yogurt entirely. Whey and casein, milk proteins that trigger allergic reactions, are found in all milk products, yogurt included.

Sources include:

AuthorityNutrition.com 1
AuthorityNutrition.com 2
MedicalNewsToday.com
FoodNetwork.com
NaturalRemedyIdeas.com

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