The Health Benefits of Greek Yogurt
There are many different types of yogurts
on the market, but one that has gained huge popularity over the last few
years is Greek yogurt.
What makes this yogurt different from other yogurts is its nutritional
profile. It’s full of calcium, protein, probiotics, potassium, and
vitamin B12. To add to this, it also contains less lactose than other
dairy products. Furthermore, the acidic property of this type of yogurt
makes it easier for your body to absorb other important nutrients.
Greek yogurt is a versatile food that can be used in a number of ways.
You can eat it on its own as a healthy snack, or on top of fruits and
nuts of your choosing. It can also be added to smoothies or blended
drinks. No matter how you choose to eat Greek yogurt, you’ll reap the
benefits of its nutritional profile.
Below you’ll find the top 8 health benefits of Greek yogurt.
1. Maintains Bowel Regularity
The probiotics also help to move food
through the gut, promoting bowel regularity. Moreover, its nutritional
profile helps with the digestion of other foods. This is also important
for regular bowel movements and preventing problems such as
constipation.
2. Improves Digestive Health
One of the main benefits of Greek yogurt is the probiotics it contains.
Our digestive tract contains different types of bacteria – some good and
some bad. The good bacteria that you get from the probiotics in Greek
yogurt help to further increase the good bacteria in your gut and
promote digestive health.
3. Aids Weight Loss
If you’re trying to shed some pounds, including non-fat Greek yogurt in
your diet is a must. Greek yogurt contains double the amount of protein
that traditional yogurt has. Therefore, since the body takes longer to
digest protein, it will help you feel fuller for a longer period of
time. This will help to curb your appetite between regular meals, which
is important when you’re trying to lose weight.
Plus, Greek yogurt contains a good amount of calcium, which can limit
fat production in the body. The iodine in Greek yogurt is important for
proper thyroid functioning, which is essential for a healthy metabolism.
The better your metabolism, the easier it is to lose weight.
4. Controls Blood Pressure
To keep your blood pressure under control,
add a few cups of Greek yogurt to your diet. The potassium present in it
helps to control blood pressure. Just one cup of Greek yogurt contains
240mg of potassium.
Potassium relaxes and prevents constriction of blood vessels, which
would otherwise cause blood pressure to increase. This mineral also
balances out the negative effects of sodium. Additionally, Greek yogurt
is an important source of calcium and magnesium, which is believed to
help lower blood pressure.
5. Keeps the Brain Healthy
The probiotics play an important role in maintaining a healthy balance
between the gut and the brain. These are linked through the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, where there are several neurons
that are important for a healthy mind.
To add to this, the vitamin B12 in Greek yogurt allows brain cells to
form new connections, a process that allows memory formation. Vitamin
B12 is a vital component of myelin, the coating that protects many brain
cells.
6. Boosts Immunity
A healthy immune system is a must if you wish to leave a disease-free
life. To boost your immunity, you should consider eating Greek yogurt.
Yogurts with live cultures can lead to higher levels of
immunity-boosting cells. The healthy bacteria in the yogurt signal to
the immune-boosting cells in your body to power up and fight off harmful
germs. The good microbes also help the body absorb nutrients properly
and make the digestive system strong. These two factors are extremely
important in boosting the immune system.
7. Fights Depression
The good microbes living in your intestines
can influence your mood and anxiety level. In fact, eating some Greek
yogurt on a daily basis gives a boost to these good microbes. Therefore,
Greek yogurt can help fight off depression and improve your mood.
Additionally, the potassium in Greek yogurt helps to maintain the
electrical conductivity of the brain and nerve transmissions. It also
helps in transporting serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes
feelings of well-being and happiness.
8. Supports Bone Health
When it comes to bone health, Greek yogurt is extremely beneficial as it
contains calcium, which is important for building and maintaining
strong bones and muscles. Without adequate calcium levels, bones will
become weak and there is an increased risk of osteoporosis, a
progressive disease which weakens bones, making them vulnerable to
fractures. One serving of Greek yogurt contains 18.7% of your daily
calcium requirement.
Apart from calcium, the magnesium, protein, potassium, and phosphorous
present in it work together to promote strong and healthy bones.