Although milk also contains a high amount of calcium, the lactic acid in yogurt combines with calcium, making it more effective in promoting calcium absorption. In this article, we will explore the benefits of drinking yogurt and how to consume it correctly.
I. Benefits of Drinking Yogurt
1. Promotes Digestion. Yogurt can stimulate gastric juice secretion, thereby increasing appetite and enhancing digestion.
2. Cancer Prevention. Yogurt contains a large number of lactic acid bacteria, which not only maintain normal intestinal function but also help reduce certain carcinogens. It can help the body eliminate various carcinogens, thus preventing cancer.
3. Lowers Cholesterol. Yogurt can reduce the cholesterol level in the blood, decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
4. Maintains Intestinal Flora. Yogurt can regulate the bacterial balance in the gut, increase beneficial bacteria like bifidobacteria in the body, inhibit the reproduction of certain harmful bacteria, and prevent harmful bacteria from invading the intestines.
Homemade Yogurt
5. Prevents Constipation. Yogurt produces a large amount of short-chain fatty acids to promote intestinal peristalsis and the growth of beneficial bacteria, thereby changing osmotic pressure to prevent constipation.
6. Boosts Immunity. Yogurt contains lactic acid bacteria, which can produce substances that enhance immune function, improving the body's immunity and preventing diseases.
7. Alleviates Lactose Intolerance. It has a mitigating effect on lactose intolerance, which causes bloating after drinking milk. Yogurt not only contains all the nutritional components of milk but is also more easily absorbed by the body.
8. Enhances Calcium Absorption and Prevents Osteoporosis. The calcium in yogurt is highly absorbable, making it the best source of calcium for the body.
II. How Much Yogurt Should You Drink Daily
Some people love yogurt so much that they consume large amounts after meals, which may lead to weight gain. Because yogurt itself contains a certain amount of calories, drinking it after a meal is equivalent to consuming extra calories, causing weight gain.
For healthy individuals, drinking one or two cups daily, which is approximately 250-500g, is more appropriate. It is best to drink it half an hour to an hour after a meal to regulate intestinal flora and benefit overall health.
III. Can Yogurt Be Heated
Yogurt should not be heated. The active lactic acid bacteria in yogurt will die in large numbers if heated or diluted with hot water, not only causing its unique flavor to disappear but also depleting its nutritional value.
Yogurt Fruit Salad
IV. Precautions for Drinking Yogurt
1. Distinguish the Variety. Currently, the market offers many "yogurt drinks" processed from milk (powdered milk), sugar, lactic acid (citric acid), malic acid, flavors, and preservatives. These products do not have the health benefits of yogurt, so be careful to identify them when purchasing.
2. Drink About 2 Hours After a Meal. The pH value suitable for lactic acid bacteria growth is above 5.4, while the pH of an empty stomach is below 2. Drinking yogurt at this time can easily kill the lactic acid bacteria, reducing its health benefits.
3. Rinse Your Mouth After Drinking. With the development of lactic acid beverages, the rate of children's cavities is also increasing, mainly due to certain bacteria in the lactic acid. Therefore, to effectively prevent cavities, rinse your mouth promptly after drinking yogurt.
4. Do Not Take with Certain Medications. Antibiotics such as chloramphenicol and erythromycin, sulfonamides, and some anti-diarrheal drugs can kill or destroy the lactic acid bacteria in yogurt.
5. Do Not Pair Yogurt Randomly. Never eat yogurt with high-fat processed meats like sausages and cured meats. Processed meats contain nitrites, which can react with amines in yogurt to form nitrosamines, a carcinogen.
6. Do Not Feed to Infants. Although the antibiotics produced by lactic acid bacteria in yogurt can inhibit and eliminate many pathogenic microorganisms, they also destroy the growth conditions for beneficial bacteria in the body, affecting normal digestive function. This is especially detrimental to infants with gastroenteritis and premature infants.
Floral Yogurt Ice Cream
V. How to Choose Yogurt
First, consumers should carefully check if the product packaging has complete labels, especially the ingredient list and product composition table, to distinguish whether the product is plain yogurt, flavored yogurt, or fruit yogurt, and select the variety that suits their taste. Then, based on the fat content listed in the product composition table, choose the product that meets their needs.
Second, yogurt and yogurt drinks are different. Yogurt drinks have lower protein and fat content, generally below 1.5%. Therefore, also check the product label to see if it is yogurt or a yogurt drink.
Additionally, since yogurt has a short shelf life, usually around two weeks, and must be stored at 2°C to 6°C to prevent spoilage, it is advisable to purchase yogurt in small, frequent batches.
Yogurt fruit salad
Fragrant yogurt ice cream
Homemade yogurt