One of the most common dairy products we can find at grocery stores nowadays is Yogurt. People who are not fond of eating yogurt due to its tangy taste might be wondering why has is become a favorite of many, especially amongst those who care a little more about their health. While others love its taste and creamy texture, many studies prove that there is a lot more to it than that.
Yogurt is made from pasteurized milk which is later mixed with bacterial cultures such as Lactobacillus bulgarius and Streptococcus thermophiles. Yogurt has bacteria but the good kind of one or what is also known as Probiotics. These microorganisms help maintain and restore balance in our guts by fighting off the bugs which cause intestinal infections such as diarrhea, excessive gas, constipation, bloating and the likes. So if you are someone who typically encounters any of these conditions, it is probably time to add a dose of good bacteria in your system in the form of yogurt.
Studies have proven that calcium plays a big role in controlling the production of cortisol which is the hormone that accumulates fats particularly in the belly. A cup of nonfat yogurt contains about 400 to 500 milligrams of calcium. Protein on the other hand, is responsible for making us feel full and energized which allow us to keep up with our activities throughout the day and burn calories instead of adding more. Replacing processed foods and sweetened drinks with yogurt is highly recommended to achieve consistent weight loss.
There are some who might have wanted to try yogurt but were afraid because they are Lactose Intolerant. They have difficulty digesting the sugar called Lactose that is found in milk products. The good news is, several studies have showed that yogurt is better tolerated than any other dairy product. This is because yogurt has lower lactose content than milk of the same amount of serving. Furthermore, both the presence of live bacteria in yogurt and the process of fermentation help in breaking down lactose making it easily digestible.
It is also known that yogurt is a significantly rich in other nutrients such as potassium, Vitamins B2, B12, B5, phosphorus and a lot more. These vitamins and minerals consistently keep our nervous system healthy. In fact, an eight ounce serving of yogurt contains around 600 mg of potassium which help us flush excess sodium and help lower high blood pressure. A study was conducted by the American Heart Association, which focused mainly on yogurt’s impact on blood pressure. This study showed that those women who consumed five or more servings per week had a 20% lower risk of developing high blood pressure than those who ate less than one serving a month.
Over the years, this dairy product has continuously surprised us with newly discovered health benefits. Nutritionists suggest that we should not just simply add yogurt to his/her diet but instead, make it a part of their diet plan to make sure that the body is getting a balanced amount of nutrients, whether your goal is to lower high blood pressure, blood sugar, lose weight or simply stay fit and healthy.
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