Have you ever wondered what we are doing different from our forefathers and grandparents who lived a longer and healthy life? There are many things which we are doing different in this modern life like fast food, lifestyle, sleep patterns, and so on. But did you ever have a hint that the effect of skipping the yogurt /curd in our meals is also adding to it?
In Indian culture, it’s a ritual of consuming yogurt /curd as part of the meals. It’s been a part of the 2-3 course meals, curd been the last course either mixing it with the rice or having buttermilk or lassi in the end. But in this modern day, we don’t have time to sit and have a 2-3 course meal and we end up skipping last important one- curd. Very little do we know we are missing on the most important thing which helps us in regularizing our digestive system.
What is yogurt?
Yogurt or known as curd is nothing but fermented milk. It contains live bacteria mainly lactobacillus and streptococcus. These bacteria convert the lactose in the milk into lactic acid. That is why, yogurt has a thick pudding like appearance.
Is bacteria good for us?
Not all bacteria are bad. There are over 400 different kinds of bacteria and yeasts in our digestive system. Of these, 
the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophillus and Bifidobacterium bifidum are considered good “probiotic” bacteria because they can help to maintain intestinal health. Probiotics are living microorganisms, i.e., “friendly” bacteria.The live cultures i.e the good bacteria which is present in the yogurt prevents the growth of harmful bacteria.
What does these good bacteria-probiotics do?
Yogurt contains helpful “good bacteria” that your digestive tract needs to function properly. Without enough good bacteria in your system, food does not digest properly or go completely through your digestive tract. When this happens, such problems as boating, gas, and in severe cases, stomach cancer can occur. Eating just one cup of yogurt that contains “active cultures” each day can help to keep your digest system working properly.
Health Benefits of yogurt
Boost your immune system- 70 percent of the body’s immune system is located in the digestive tract(small intestine). The microflora acts as a physical barrier to help fight diseases. Probiotics regulates the balance of bacteria and increases the “good bacteria” which reinforce this barrier. Eating one cup of yogurt per day containing active cultures may help to keep your immune system strong.- Premature Ageing:Curd has been associated with longevity. Premature old age and decay could be prevented by taking sufficient curd in the daily diet. The body is slowly being poisoned and its resistance weakened by man’s normal diet and that this poisoning process could be arrested and the intestinal tract kept healthy by the constant, regular use of yogurt .
- Diarrhea: Probiotics in yogurt helps to maintain the level of “good bacteria,” which balance bacterial and virus infections that can cause diarrhea.
- Constipation: Probiotics help shorten long intestinal tract transit time and can improve regularity.
- Lose weight: Low fat Yogurt which is high in protein helps you feel fuller and is thus, a very good snack for those trying to lose weight. It is and calcium. According to recent research, calcium rich milk products helps body to get rid of the excess fat instead of accumulating them in body.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Probiotics in yogurt helps to restore the balance of bacteria and can eliminate the abdominal pain, gas or constipation.
- Vaginal yeast infections- Hard to believe, but something as easy as eating yogurt each day may help to prevent vaginal yeast infections. This is, once again, attributed to the good bacteria in yogurts that contain active cultures. Good bacteria helps your body fight against yeast infections, so if you are low on good bacteria your chances of getting one is high.
Beauty benefits of yogurt
Removes pimples- Magical antibacterial properties of yogurt will help get rid of those nasty pimples, if applied regularly. Paste of curd and Bengal gram flour or besan should be applied on the face for 15-20 minutes and then washed off.- Natural conditioner – Curd is also considered valuable in conditioning the hair. It makes the hair soft, healthy and strong. Curd should be massaged right into the roots of the hair before being washed off.
- Anti-drandruff- Dandruff can be removed by massaging one’s hair for half an hour with curd which has been kept in the open for three days.
Tips- Make yogurt fresh at home with a good starter or when buying at stores check for labels with live active cultures to enjoy all the benefits of yogurt. Yogurt has its best effect when consumed along with food or immediately after meals rather as a snack ,as its easier for the good bacteria to reach the intestines when its fuller .
References: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/14903449/,http://ask.doctoroz.com/question/yogurt-and-immune-health ,http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/12/earlyshow/health/main5377915.shtml
My friends call me a total health freak as I always end up talking and advising others how to stay healthy. I love to cook and likewise eat healthy. This blog has all the tips you need to lose weight and recipes which helps you acheive that goal.