10 Benefits of Yogurt
Yogurt is a dairy food that is popular all over the world. It comes in many different varieties and is often used in different cuisines across the planet. It is also flexible and can be used in main courses, in salads, or even just as a snack.
Another thing that makes it popular is that it is also very healthy. Yogurt is packed full of vitamins and minerals, which help to promote good health. It is also a probiotic, which means it contains live bacteria that help to maintain a healthy digestive system.
It is very popular in healthy living diets and can be combined with other healthy foods to make a healthy diet more appealing. Below are 10 benefits of eating yogurt.
Benefit #1: Eases Allergy Symptoms
If you have any allergy, then you will know just how uncomfortable they can be. While allergic reactions can vary significantly in terms of severity, even the mild reactions can be difficult to bear. Fortunately, there are medications available on the market that can relieve symptoms. There are also some natural remedies that can help, such as yogurt.
It is thought that the probiotics in yogurt can help to lessen the severity of some allergic reactions. This can make things easier for the patient, even if the reaction does not go away completely. Remember, though, that some reactions can be very serious indeed and may require medication.
Benefit #2: A Beautiful Smile
Maintaining a beautiful smile can be difficult. Many different foods and drinks can stain and damage our teeth. We can also develop more serious problems such as gum disease and cavities. Eat plenty of yogurt, though, and you could maintain that beautiful smile for longer.
Yogurt contains lactic acid, which is thought to be able to promote healthy teeth and gums. What’s more is that yogurt will do no harm to your teeth and oral health in general when eating it. Substitute it for sugary treats and other foods that can harm your oral health and you will be encouraging a beautiful smile for many years to come.
Benefit #3: Aids Digestion
When we think of bacteria, we tend to think of bad microscopic life forms that can make us very ill. It is wise to be cautious as some bacteria and other nasties can make us very ill indeed. The vast majority of bacteria are harmless to us, though. In fact, some are even helpful.
Living in our stomachs and elsewhere in the digestive system are whole populations of bacteria. For the most part, these are helpful in that they help us to digest our food. Yogurt is a probiotic, which means it encourages a good and healthy balance of the bacteria in the digestive system.
Benefit #4: Boosts Immunity
A strong immune system is very important. Without it, we are quite literally at the mercy of any pathogen that we encounter. A weak immune system will cause us to become sick more often. When we do fall sick, its severity is likely to increase. There are certain things we can do to keep our immune system strong and eating plenty of yogurt is one of them.
It has been shown that yogurt can help make T-cells stronger. These cells, also known as T lymphocytes, help our body fight against unwelcome intruders. This helps to boost our defenses against disease, keeping us healthy and well.
Benefit #5: Energy Boost
Work can be tiring at times. There are occasions when you look at the clock hoping to go home soon because you are tiring, only to spot that there’s a few hours left before you can finish. At these times, what you need is a pick-me-up, and some yogurt can be just what you need.
Yogurt contains plenty of vitamin B. This vitamin helps with your body’s metabolism, which can give you a boost in energy. What’s more is that it is very convenient as a snack, meaning you have to miss little or no work time. Plus, of course, it is delicious.
Benefit #6: Prevents Yeast Infections
Yeast infections, such as thrush, can be both painful and embarrassing. They can affect both men and women, no matter how healthy and hygienic they may be. It can also be very difficult to prevent them, although yogurt can be a significant help in this regard.
People are often given antibiotics to help prevent thrush, but this is not always effective. Indeed, it is thought that some antibiotics can actually increase the chances of developing a yeast infection. Yogurt, though, helps the body to maintain its natural pH levels and this can be quite effective in preventing infections from taking hold.
Benefit #7: Workout Food
As much as working out can be a lot of hard work, it is only half the battle. It is also very important to eat well in order to maintain optimal strength and fitness. This can be difficult, especially considering many of our favorite foods are off healthy living lists.
Yogurt is a good source of sodium and potassium, and these can help to replace electrolytes that you lose when working out. What’s more is that it can energize you before your work out, or give you a boost once your workout is finished. It is also nonfattening, making it ideal for people that are trying to lose weight.
Benefit #8: Muscle Building
It is important that we maintain good muscle strength. This does not only apply to sports people, but to everybody in general. Strong muscles are important for our overall well-being, and can generally make life quite a bit easier. There are numerous ways that you can promote good muscle strength, and eating plenty of yogurt is one of them.
Yogurt is a very good source of complete proteins. These are high-quality proteins that contain all the building blocks that your muscles need to grow. Don’t forget, of course, that plenty of exercise and a healthy, balanced diet is also necessary.
Benefit #9: Healthy Bones
It is just as important to look after the health of our skeletons as it is to look after the rest of our bodies. Our skeletons help give us plenty of support, while they also perform other functions such as the production of white blood cells in bone marrow. Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can help ensure a healthy skeleton.
One food that can encourage a healthy skeleton is yogurt. Yogurt is a very good source of calcium and also vitamin D, both of which are important for promoting strong, healthy bones. Don’t forget that you can mix it with other ingredients that also offer health benefits as well, making it taste even better.
Benefit #10: Helps with Weight Loss
All around the world, there are people trying to lose excess weight. It can be very difficult, though, especially as we get older. As our metabolism slows down, we burn off fewer calories than we otherwise would. Plus, the foods that we most like also tend to be those that are more fattening.
Yogurt can be used as part of a healthy diet that can help you to lose weight. It is filling, which reduces the urge to eat more, and is also low in calories. Yogurt also helps to build muscle which, in turn, helps to burn off calories. It can also be mixed with other foods that are suitable for a weight loss diet.
