Yogurt is a dairy product made by fermenting fresh milk with lactic acid bacteria. How much do you really know about drinking yogurt? For the sake of our collective health, let's look at some common misconceptions about consuming yogurt!
Misconception One: Yogurt is the same as milk
In terms of nutritional value, yogurt is easier to digest and absorb, with a higher utilization rate of nutrients. Most of the sugar in milk is lactose. Some adults lack the enzyme lactase in their digestive juices, which affects the digestion, absorption, and utilization of lactose, causing stomach discomfort or even diarrhea after drinking milk. In such cases, yogurt can be a substitute for milk.
Misconception Two: Yogurt is the same as yogurt drinks
Yogurt is made from high-quality milk fermented by lactic acid bacteria, while yogurt drinks are just a type of beverage. The nutritional content of the two differs greatly; the nutritional value of yogurt drinks is only about one-third of that of yogurt. According to dairy industry regulations, 100g of yogurt requires a protein content of ≥2.9g, whereas yogurt drinks have a protein content of only about 1g.
Misconception Three: Yogurt can be taken with certain medications
As is well known, taking medicine with tea can reduce its effectiveness. Similarly, taking medicine with yogurt is also bad for your health. Antibiotics such as chloramphenicol and erythromycin, as well as sulfonamides and some medications for treating diarrhea, can kill or destroy the active probiotics in yogurt.
Misconception Four: Drinking yogurt on an empty stomach
Drinking yogurt on an empty stomach is not necessarily harmful to your health, but it can weaken the original health benefits of yogurt. If you choose to drink yogurt after a meal, the probiotics can be fully effective, helping to promote intestinal peristalsis and resist harmful bacteria, making your intestines healthier.
Misconception Five: Yogurt can be paired with anything
Yogurt is well-suited to be paired with starchy foods, such as rice, noodles, steamed buns, and bread, which tastes good and is nutritious. However, it is forbidden to be eaten with high-fat processed meats like sausages and cured meats. Because processed meats contain nitrites, they can react with amines in yogurt to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogens.
Misconception Six: Yogurt is suitable for everyone
Yogurt is not suitable for everyone. In fact, patients with diarrhea or other intestinal diseases should be cautious when drinking yogurt after intestinal damage. Babies under 1 year old should also not drink yogurt. Diabetics, patients with atherosclerosis, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis should avoid sugary whole-fat yogurt, as it can easily worsen their condition.
Groups of people who are suitable for drinking more yogurt include: frequent drinkers, frequent smokers, people who often work on computers, patients with frequent constipation, patients taking antibiotics, patients with osteoporosis, and patients with cardiovascular diseases.