Although for many of us yogurt consumption is a common habit, it brings many benefits to our body. It is considered to be super-nutritious and is thus recommended in women’s nutrition every time they face: decreased immunity, colds, repeated infections, after treatment with antibiotics or other medicines that have affected the normal microbial flora of the body.
Find out below other healthy health benefits of the natural yogurt. Beware of the “light” products, they are low in fat but may have added sugar. Read more here.
Yogurt consumption prevents colon cancer and enhances the immunity of the body
We can find cultures of bacteria that have a beneficial effect on the colon, helping it work much better. Besides being rich in calcium, yogurt controls excessive cell production (which can form colon cancer) and acids in the body. Thus, as a result, regular consumption significantly lowers the risk of colon cancer.
Cultures of yogurt bacteria accelerate the production of white cells (leukocytes) that fight infection. Consequently, people who consume it regularly have a higher immunity. So, if we introduce a regular portion in our daily diet, we will more easily resist when our body is attacked with germs.
It can also help lower cholesterol levels in the body precisely because of the cultures of bacteria that absorb it, keeping our body healthy. So, it is hugely beneficial for people suffering from heart disease. There is an average decrease in bad cholesterol by 5% and a decrease in total cholesterol by 4%. The researchers have found that patients who daily consumed one yogurt a day suffered 50% less of these conditions.
Yogurt helps an easier digestion
As mentioned earlier, each serving contains digestive bacteria that help us eliminate toxic microorganisms in our digestive system. In other words, it improves digestion, being hugely beneficial for people suffering from indigestion, constipation or intestinal infections.
Many times, the cause of high blood pressure can be the lack of calcium and vitamin D in the body. That’s why eating yogurt (which is a rich source of calcium in vitamin D) is recommended for people who need to keep their blood pressure under control. It is not only healthy for our body, but it also helps us lose weight because it reduces the intensity of hunger and gives us a feeling of satiety.
Check this out: https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/benefits-yogurt
Always read the label
On its own, yogurt is a product with low caloric content. However, many manufacturers add sugar, artificial sweeteners and unknown ingredients to their products. Always read the label to avoid as much as possible processed foods. Manufacturers can stick whatever they want on the product box to make them look healthy, but they cannot hide real ingredients. All yogurts will contain some natural sugars but look for something with less than 10g of sugar/portion. Products such as cereals that claim to be “made with real yogurt” contain only a small amount powder, which is not as beneficial for your body. When the yogurt is heated to over 200 degrees C to be processed, beneficial bacteria are killed and no longer benefit the body. The same applies to all grain products, like granola, which claims to have consistency. All of them contain “yogurt” made from a combination of sugar, oil, whey powder and almost no yogurt.
People suffering from an allergy to dairy products should avoid eating it. However, people with lactose intolerance may be able to tolerate certain types of yogurt, depending on their degree of intolerance. For people who do not consume dairy products, there are alternatives non-dairy yogurts, such as soy or coconut milk yogurt.
If the benefits of yogurt convince you and you want to be sure you eat well, you can try to make it at home following the recipe from yogurtnerd.com. It’s straightforward, simple to make and during the summer it’s a perfect snack. Follow the instructions below and prepare in your kitchen the creamiest homemade yogurt with only a few ingredients.
Ingredients needed to make creamy and thick yogurt:
- One liter of whole milk
- Two tablespoons of your favorite yogurt
- a pinch of salt
It is essential to choose a simple yogurt without sugar, fruit or another flavor, which is rich in natural ferments. The idea is to opt for something you usually eat.
1. Boil the milk with a pinch of salt. Once cooked, leave the fire as small as possible and let it boil for 10-15 minutes.
2. Let the milk cool down until you can touch the saucepan without it burning your hands, but do not make it cool too much.
3. Add your favorite yogurt to the hot milk and mix well with a spoon. Pour the milk into a pot and put it somewhere warm, possibly wrapped in a towel for the next 3-8 hours.
4. The time left there depends on many conditions, including the room temperature, brightness, but also the quality of the ingredients you use.
5. Keep in mind that the longer the yogurt stays at room temperature, the sour it will be. Don’t forget to keep some yogurt for the next time you need to prepare it.