May Help Reduce Osteoporosis Risk
As you age, you are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis which is the loss of bone due to its thinning. It can be prevented or reduced by having a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Yogurt is a rich source of calcium and if consumed regularly, may help in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. For women who limit their intake of milk and cheese, yogurt is an excellent dairy food choice.
If you are Lactose Intolerant, Yogurt May Help
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase in the body. Because of this deficiency, the consumption of milk often leads to unpleasant gastrointestinal problems and discomfort, such as bloating and gas. As the lactose content of yogurt is lower than milk, people who are lactose intolerant can enjoy yogurt. This can also help people cover up for the calcium deficiency caused due to poor intake of milk.
Immune Booster
According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, yogurt may help make the immune system more resilient. Consuming yogurt regularly may help protect the intestinal tract. It therefore acts as a protective and anti-infection agent. Some preliminary research also indicates that increased yogurt consumption might help increase one’s resistance to immune-related diseases, such as cancer and infection, particularly gastrointestinal infection.
Yogurt helps curb your hunger
People have yogurt as a snack or before the main meals as it helps fill you up. As a result you feel less hungry while eating your main meals. You feel much more satiated after your meal if you have eaten yogurt. Yogurt is also considered as pre or post-workout snack.
Hypertension
Due to a sedentary lifestyle, a rising number of people today suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure), which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. If you eat low fat yogurt regularly, you get the essential intake calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These nutrients may help reduce hypertension. As per a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who ate low-fat dairy products (two or more servings daily) were 54 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than those who ate the least. Research also shows that a calcium-rich diet helps regulate blood pressure in women during and after pregnancy.
Ways to Eat Yogurt
You can dip it, spread it, freeze it, add fruit to it or eat it plain.
• Start your day with a yogurt breakfast. Top it up with fruits or dry cereal
• You can use yogurt for salad dressing and dips
• Yogurt is an excellent snack option, therefore, you may include it in your diet as a mid- day snack.
• Dip raw vegetables in plain yogurt
• You can make delicious smoothies by plain or low fat yogurt