YOGURT Health Benefits

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Eating yogurt everday is very healthy for the body. For those

looking to supplement their protein, calcium and dairy, yogart is a

healthy choice.

Yogurt is not just a delicious snack with fruits on the bottom, it

has great health benefits. It is an excellent source of protein,

calcium, riboflavin and vitamin B 12. When yogurt is compared to

milk, yogurt contains more calcium and protein because of the added

cultures in the yogurt.

Yogurt must contain active and living cultures to be yogurt.

Cultures are composed of unique living microorganisms which are

responsible for many of the health and nutritional benefits of

yogurt. Some of the health benefits of yogurt are "

It improves natural defense, it contains a good amount of phosphorus

and 88% water. People with a risk of osteoporosis should eat at

least one serving of yogurt per day.

It has also been claimed that yogurt may protect against some types

of cancer but more investigations have to be carried out.

There are three types of yogurt: regular(whole milk), low-fat and

skim. Low-fat and skim yogurt are good for people who are on a

cholesterol lowering diet or just simply watching their weights.

These types of yogurt does not raise blood cholesterol levels.

Some people have trouble digesting lactose, a carbohydrate in milk

and milk products, because of the deficiency of enzyme lactase in

the body. Live yogurt cultures produce lactase and break down the

lactose. Yogurt is a healthy way to get the calcium the body needs,

for the people who can not tolerate milk products.

Other benefits of live and active cultures in the yogurt are, they

may help to boost the immune system. They encourage the right kind

of bacteria to multiply in the gut. These bacteria help to digest

food and prevent stomach infections. Also, they help to provide

relief from vaginal infections.

Yogurt is fresh dairy product that must be stored in the

refrigerator. The heat treated yogurt has a longer shelf life but it

does not give the nutritional benefits like the yogurt with live

cultures because heat processing destroys the cultures. To get the

most health benefit from yogurt, there must be a live and active

cultures seal on the label.

Yogurt is known and consumed in almost all parts of the world.

Mediterranean Countries use a lot of yogurt in their cuisine. They

usually eat yogurt, plain with no sugar along with main dishes like

stuffed cabbage and spinach. They add yogurt to their salads or use

it to make traditional " meze " They also prepare yogurt drinks made

with plain yogurt, salt and water and serve it with shish kebabs.

Fried vegetables such as eggplant or zucchini are eaten with yogurt.

Cucumber and yogurt salad is very popular among the Mediterranean

countries, it is prepared with yogurt, cucumbers, fresh or dried

mint, garlic and salt.

To add more yogurt to everyday diet, here are some healthier

alternatives and tips:

- Replace mayonnaise and salad dressings with yogurt

- Replace ice cream and milkshake with frozen yogurt and mixed fruit

yogurt smoothie

- Make dips with yogurt instead of sour-cream

- Try using yogurt cheese instead of cream cheese

- Use to marinate meat and poultry

- Yogurt can also be stove cooked, but it will curdle if heated to

too high a temperature or boiled. Adding a tablespoon of cornstarch

into each cup of yogurt before cooking it, can prevent this problem.