is yogurt good for you? There are almost as many people who eat yoghurt as those who drink milk, perhaps even more. Yoghurt is one of the few dairy products that lactose intolerant people can enjoy. It can be flavored in many ways for taste and contains powerful nutrients that have positive effects on your health. Find out why yoghurt is good for you and how eating it regularly affects your body.
Types of Yoghurt
Is yoghurt good for you? The answer depends on the kind of yoghurt you want to eat. Grocery stores usually stock a shelf of flavored yoghurt, as well as plain and Greek yoghurt. Although flavored varieties have a number of nutrients, they are usually high in sugar and preservatives. Greek and plain yoghurt are considered to be the healthiest and can be flavored with fresh fruit and nuts at home.
The primary ingredient of yoghurt is milk. Yoghurt made from cow’s milk is the most accessible. However, some stores do provide yoghurt made from goat, soy, rice and coconut milk. These varieties have varying levels of nutrients and some are great vegetarian alternatives.
Reasons why Yoghurt is Good for You
Whether it is store-bought or made at home, yoghurt boasts a number of essential nutrients. Some of these nutrients include calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B and protein. Some yoghurt, particularly rice milk yoghurt, has a reasonable amount of dietary fiber. Yoghurt also contains high quantities of probiotics, which are bacteria that the body needs for several purposes.
Yoghurt and Digestion
Digestion is a process where food is broken down in the stomach with help from enzymes, intestinal muscles and bacteria. When you don’t have enough digestive bacteria in your colon, you are likely to suffer from constipation, loose stools and irritable bowel disease. Fortunately, yoghurt provides these useful bacteria, also known as live cultures.
Yoghurt and Weight Loss
Yoghurt is relatively low in calories, provided you choose the low-sugar types. A cup of plain yoghurt has about 150 calories. If you want to add fruit, keep in mind that the calorie count will increase. To lower calories, look for low-fat options. Yoghurt is also high in vitamin B12, which helps regulate your metabolism and energy levels.
Yoghurt and Bone Health
Bones need certain minerals for added strength and density. Yoghurt supplies calcium and magnesium, which are two of the best nutrients to maintain strong bone and teeth. In addition to being healthy for your bones, yoghurt also provides potassium and protein. Together, these nutrients help to repair and build muscles. Having regular servings of yoghurt is a great method to prevent osteoporosis and muscle weakness.
Yoghurt and Women’s Health
Women of all ages can benefit a lot from eating cultured yoghurt frequently. This is because it contains probiotics. Health experts advise women to increase probiotic intake because it can reduce the risk of vaginal and bladder infections. Not only can it help prevent infection, yoghurt is good for you because it restores the good bacteria destroyed as a result of taking antibiotics.
Based on these information, you should be able to answer the question: is yogurt good for you?
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