Yogurt is one of the many people's favorite beverages. However, some yogurt tastes very sour, some are moderately sweet and sour, while others are quite sweet. Many people wonder, since it's called yogurt, does the sourer it is, the more nutritious it is?
Before answering this question, it's first important to understand how milk turns sour.
Lactic acid bacteria are added to milk to ferment and produce substances like lactic acid, which turns the milk into sour yogurt. Yogurt that is normally on the market has a good balance of sourness and sweetness and a pleasant taste because sugar or sweeteners have been added. However, as yogurt is stored, the lactic acid bacteria will grow slowly, and its acidity will also gradually increase. But when stored in a low-temperature environment, the acidity of the yogurt within its shelf life remains acceptable to the human body, and the activity of its lactic acid bacteria is well-maintained. However, the acidity of yogurt has its limits. If the yogurt is removed from the cold chain during storage or logistics, such as being left at room temperature or outdoors, the lactic acid bacteria will multiply rapidly, causing the acidity to increase beyond an acceptable range. Such yogurt will taste very sour, the activity of the lactic acid bacteria will decrease, the degree of denaturation of milk protein will increase, which is not conducive to human absorption and is also harmful to gastrointestinal health. Therefore, the sourer the yogurt is not necessarily the better.
When buying yogurt, be sure to choose products that are kept in refrigerated display cases to ensure their freshness and safety. If you are buying promotional products that are close to their expiration date, do not be tempted to buy a large quantity just to save money, to avoid eating expired yogurt. Since it is unavoidable for the yogurt to be briefly out of the cold chain during your trip home, you should drink it as soon as possible or put it in the refrigerator upon returning, to avoid leaving it at room temperature for a long time.
Although milk also contains a high amount of calcium, the lactic acid in yogurt combines with calcium, which can better promote the absorption of calcium. Generally speaking, the best time to drink yogurt is 30 minutes to 2 hours after a meal. However, traditional Chinese medicine suggests that to maximize the calcium-supplementing effect of yogurt, it is best to drink it in the evening.
Reasons:
1. The period from midnight to early morning is when the body's blood calcium level is lowest, which is beneficial for the absorption of calcium from food.
2. During the period from midnight to early morning, there are fewer factors in the human body that affect calcium absorption.
Tips:
When drinking yogurt at night, be sure to remember that certain bacterial strains and acidic substances in yogurt can be somewhat damaging to the teeth. You should brush your teeth or rinse your mouth promptly after drinking. Also, if you drink yogurt on an empty stomach, it can easily stimulate the gastrointestinal tract to empty, and the nutrients in the yogurt will be excreted before they can be thoroughly digested and absorbed. Drinking it after a meal can reduce this stimulation and allow the yogurt to be slowly absorbed in the stomach.
Office workers drink yogurt after lunch to prevent radiation
For office workers who sit in front of a computer after lunch without moving, constantly exposed to electromagnetic radiation, drinking a cup of yogurt about 2 hours after a meal is very beneficial to their health. In addition, drinking yogurt in the afternoon can also help relieve tension and work stress.
Reasons:
1. Some studies have pointed out that vitamin B can improve the body's ability to resist radiation damage. Yogurt, being rich in B vitamins, is able to take advantage of this benefit. Yogurt can also reduce radiation damage and inhibit the decrease in the number of human lymphocytes after radiation exposure.
2. Tyrosine in yogurt is very helpful in relieving physical fatigue caused by excessive psychological stress, high tension, and anxiety. After fermentation by lactic acid bacteria, the particles of protein, peptides, and amino acids in yogurt become smaller, and the content of free tyrosine is greatly increased, making it easier to absorb. Drinking a cup of yogurt at or after lunch can help office workers relax and stay energetic throughout the afternoon, which is more conducive to improving work efficiency.
Tips:
You should drink yogurt in small, multiple portions, as this is not only more effective but also avoids causing gastrointestinal discomfort from eating too much. Finally, it is important to remember to rinse your mouth after drinking yogurt, otherwise the acidic substances and lactic acid bacteria in it can affect dental health.
There are contraindications for drinking yogurt
However, yogurt is not a food that you can eat as much as you want without gaining weight. It itself contains a certain amount of calories. If you eat extra on top of your regular diet, it will also cause weight gain. The best solution is to choose yogurt labeled as "fat-free" and "low-calorie." Although their taste is not as rich and mellow as full-fat yogurt, they are low in calories and will not cause a rapid accumulation of calories in the body leading to weight gain.
In addition, yogurt is not suitable for everyone. Patients after gastrointestinal surgery, those with diarrhea, and infants under 1 year of age should not drink yogurt. Even for healthy adults, excessive consumption can easily lead to too much stomach acid, affecting the secretion of gastric mucosa and digestive enzymes, reducing appetite, and disrupting the body's electrolyte balance. Generally, it is more appropriate to drink two cups a day, each about 125 grams.