The natural yogurt is a food belonging to the group of dairy and obtained by fermenting cow’s milk generally, which serves to maintain excellent health and contribute to care for and beautify our skin and hair. The word yogurt or yogurt, derives from the Turkish word yoğurt , which alludes to the verb yoğurmak which means to knead, referring to the process of making said food.
Index
Benefits of natural yogurt
Being a natural product, yogurt provides endless health benefits, its composition has allowed its use to treat some internal pathologies as well as skin disorders.
It is used for many things, from an excellent light option for breakfast, a great ally to combat overweight, to a reducer of the negative effects that antibiotics could have. We invite you to learn more about its countless benefits:
Lowers cholesterol
The live cultures present in this wonderful food help to inhibit the absorption into the blood of cholesterol, as well as healthy fats. In fact, it is recommended to consume a daily cup to those who want to control the level of this lipid in their body.
Some recent studies have shown that the consumption of yogurt, especially its probiotics, significantly lowers blood cholesterol. In the people who participated in the study and who ate this food for 9 weeks, they had a considerable reduction of 11% in “bad” cholesterol.
Strengthens the immune system
The regular intake of yogurt strengthens the immune system and this is mainly due to the healthy bacteria present in it which send signals to the cells that stimulate immunology thus fighting harmful bacteria and viruses. In the same way, it contributes to developing resistance to diseases.
Studies carried out around the consumption of yogurt by women revealed that those who consumed a daily portion of said food activate and strengthen their T cells, responsible for fighting infections and diseases; at the same time allergy sufferers considerably reduce their symptoms when they consume at least one serving a day.
For the digestive system
Thanks to its probiotic cultures, yogurt contributes to the replacement of healthy bacteria in the intestines, which are affected during the intake of aggressive substances or antibiotic drugs; Regular consumption of yogurt notably improves the intestinal flora, so it is recommended to take it two hours before the antibiotic and after taking it.
It is an effective remedy in the treatment of gastritis, diarrhea, stomach and duodenal ulcers, due to the lactobacilli found in it, it inhibits the colonization of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which causes great stomach upsets. This excellent food generates a protective effect on the gastric mucosa.
Treatment of mouth ulcers
It is achieved thanks to the antibacterial properties that yogurt has, acting as a remedy against canker sores, it can also be applied directly to the affected area. In addition, the lactic acid contained in yogurt helps protect the gums; a study showed that yogurts do not erode tooth enamel, thus preventing cavities.
Fight fungal infections
It has antifungal properties thanks to the lactic acid it contains and therefore it is quite effective in the fight against fungi mainly caused by candida; analyzes carried out around the fact show that the consumption of at least one serving a day of yogurt reduces the incidence of infections.
This wonderful food also prevents vaginal infections (candidiasis) applying it with a clean cloth on the affected area reduces burning and itching; lactobacilli are responsible for colonizing the region, thus preventing the fungus from proliferating.
Improves lactose intolerance
An evil that affects a large number of people around the world, but thanks to the benefits of yogurt it can improve. Lactose intolerance is produced by the deficiency of the lactase enzyme that is responsible for synthesizing the lactose present in milk and in most dairy products; in this case, the lactobacilli contained in yogurt digest lactose, so people who suffer from this disease can eat this food without any problem.
Reduces the risk of diabetes and helps prevent cancer
Just drinking one cup a day reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, scientifically proven by a study carried out by Harvard University, where it was confirmed that the people subjected to the study decreased the risk of suffering this disease by 18% .
The bacteria present in yogurt significantly reduce the risk of suffering from some types of cancer, and this is because by regulating the intestinal flora and stimulating the immune system, an anti-tumor effect is achieved. Some laboratory tests yielded extraordinary results on the effect of probiotics in yogurt in reducing the risk of breast, colon and bladder cancer.
Helps fight overweight
Its consumption not only contributes to reducing the symptoms of many ailments, but it has been shown through studies that by substituting some foods for a yogurt that has the same caloric content, abdominal fat can be reduced by up to 80%.
Multiple aesthetic uses
It is an excellent ally in the beauty and care routine, so we present just some of the uses you can give it to beautify your skin and hair:
- Hair conditioner (nourishes, detangles and adds shine)
- Prevents dandruff and hair loss.
- Face mask (stops oxidative damage and keeps the face young)
- Relieves sunburn
- Natural exfoliator (removes dead cells and impurities from the skin).
Characteristics of natural yogurt
It is a white food with a smooth texture and flavor; It can be sweet, sour or sour, we can even find it skimmed or with added cream. Regarding its nutritional information, a serving of 170 grams contains 104 kilocalories, 5.52 g of fat, 5.90 g of protein, 7.92 g of carbohydrates and 22 mg of cholesterol, according to USDA and its database of nutrients, which makes it an excellent alternative to be included in our diet.
Adverse effects
It can rarely cause an adverse effect on the body, however, it is important to know that in people who suffer from short bowel syndrome the probiotics contained in yogurt could increase the risk of suffering an infection.
Another problem that could arise has to do with the amount of sugar and calories that yogurt contains and this will always depend on its presentation. One more fact that you should consider has to do with the expiration date, so obviously you should not consume an expired yogurt under any circumstances.
conclusion
It is a highly functional food, its nutrient content makes it a great ally in the health field thanks to its effects as an intestinal regulator and as it is a probiotic food that contains approximately 100 million beneficial bacteria for the body.
In addition, it is a source of vitamin B12, as well as potassium, iodine, phosphorus, zinc and riboflavin, which contributes to a better functioning of the nervous system and, if that were not enough, it is an excellent option to consume after a routine of exercises thanks to the amino acids contained in proteins, which repair muscles.
Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.