Yoghurt- Health Benefits
I'm sure there won't be many people who say that they don't like yoghurt. It is such a simple food, but so beneficial, I can eat a whole bowl of yoghurt with some fruits or vegetables chopped with it !
Yogurt is a great food to consume. It helps
with digestion, gives us a good energetic feeling and tastes wonderful.
But not many people know that it has many other benefits. After reading
all of the below, I'm sure you'll start acting like me and do your best
to eat one cup of yogurt every day or two.
1. Protects your teeth
The lactic acid in yogurt has a positive and protective effect on your
gums and teeth. It can help keep your teeth healthy and pretty and
overcome the damage done by other foods and drinks, most commonly -
coffee. It's important to note that although it contains sugar, yogurt
has no harmful effect on the enamel of your teeth.
2. Reduces allergy symptoms
Those of us with seasonal allergies know how hard it can be to do
anything once the symptoms start to appear, but a cup of yogurt might be
an easy fix to this problem. The probiotics found in yogurt may
decrease your body’s reaction to pollen and other allergens, minimizing
your allergic reaction.
3. Great pre or post workout snack
Yogurt is rich in carbohydrates that can either help re-fuel you
throughout your workout, or replace the energy lost after you are done.
The potassium and sodium found in it can also help replace those
electrolytes you sweat out and keep you feeling fresh even after a hard
workout.
4. Fights the common cold
The common cold will always be there, not much you can do about it. But
there's still hope for preventing it in time. Research proved that
yogurt can strengthen your immune system, making your T-cells stronger
and more active. They are more prone to beat the sickness out of you
before it drags on too long.
5. Prevents yeast infections
If you are given a prescription for antibiotics, you might want to
consider yogurt to protect yourself. Using antibiotics usually raises
the chances of yeast infections and the yogurt’s active cultures can
help balance pH levels and prevent this uncomfortable problem.
6. Reduces the risk of high blood pressure
A recent study, conducted over the course of 15 years, revealed that 30%
of volunteers that took at least 2% of their daily calorie intake from
yogurt, were less likely to develop high blood pressure. That's only
from 2%.
7. Helps prevent osteoporosis
All milk and dairy products are in general a great source of calcium and
help build healthy bones. Look for yogurts with added vitamin D for
greater help in keeping your bones strong and healthy.
8. A great source of energy
Aside from the energy provided by the carbohydrates in yogurt, it also
contains B vitamins which are just what your body needs when you feel
like you could use a little pick-me-up.
9. Builds muscle
Yogurt contains all of the essential amino acids necessary to build
muscle and other tissues in the body. It is a complete protein, which
means it is also a welcome addition to your diet as they support all the
necessary biological functions of the human body.
10. Helps you lose weight
As stated in the last point, Yogurt helps build muscle and this means
that it helps burn fat. The high amounts of protein will also help you
stay fuller for longer periods of time while reducing your need for
snacks and unhealthy foods.
So now that you know all of these amazing
facts about yogurt, it's time to go out there and get some!
But what kind of yogurt should you get?
1 - Greek yogurt is a preferred kind, it is generally higher in protein
and lower in sugar than other natural options.
2 - You should also look for yogurt with live or active cultures, they
are what improve the good bacteria in your gut.
3 - Lastly, keep an eye open on the sugar content in your yogurt. Many
kinds of yogurt contain added sugars and artificial sweeteners that you
do not want. Stick to 12-18 grams of natural sugar per serving and
you're free to sit back and peacefully enjoy a cup of the good stuff!