Health & Medical Nutrition

The Goodness of Yogurt

Yogurt is a bacterial fermented milk product.
Nutritionally rich in protein, calcium, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and cobalamine, yogurt provides energy and various health benefits, besides helping in the growth and maintenance of muscles.
Yogurt is known to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer, because it contains lactobacilli.
Lactobacilli, also known as 'good bacteria,' promote digestive health.
They help to flush out waste and to clean up the intestine.
It also prevents the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut that may cause infections.
These bacteria facilitate the formation of bulky, well-lubricated stools, which help in proper bowel movements.
Also, they are vital for the assimilation of macro nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Additionally, the probiotic nature of yogurt suppresses the activity of helicobacter pylori, a species of bacteria that is responsible for stomach ulcers.
On the other hand, lactoferin, an iron-binding protein in yogurt, stimulates the activity of cells that build up bones and also reduces the rate of breakdown by inhibiting osteoclastic activity.
Lactoferin, along with calcium, promotes the development of cartilage and prevents bone density loss.
Thus, overall, yogurt encourages bone health and protects against osteoporosis and arthritis.
These tiny microbes even boost the immune system.
Lactoferin acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and prevents the development of inflammation and succeeding tissue damage caused by the release of pro-inflammatory substances.
It acts as an antioxidant by diminishing the damaging effects of free radicals.
Further, researchers have found that consuming about 100 to 200 grams of yogurt (mainly low fat) per day not only lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol but also raises HDL (good) cholesterol.
It even significantly reduces the levels of sulfide compounds associated with bad breath.
It prevents dental plaques, dental cavities, and gingivitis.
Also, eating yogurt may help to avert vaginal and urinary tract infections.
Yogurt is beneficial for people who cannot enjoy the goodness of dairy products.
Lactose-intolerant individuals cannot digest lactose, the milk sugar.
However, yogurt is easily digested by them as, during the formation or yogurt, the milk sugar is broken down by the yogurt's natural digestive enzyme lactase.
So, consuming yogurt is recommended in any form that suits you such as salad dressings, dips (instead of sour cream), as a marinating agent for vegetables, smoothie, or buttermilk.


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