Yogurt is one of the beverages we often drink. Many people like to drink yogurt, which is highly nutritious and has many health benefits. So, is it helpful for digestion to drink yogurt when you are overly full?
Does drinking yogurt help digestion when you are overly full?
In the eyes of many people, "aiding digestion" is one of the most important health functions of yogurt, so it is the first choice when feeling full. In fact, yogurt helps promote gastrointestinal motility and the secretion of digestive juices, and regular consumption can indeed help improve digestion. However, it is not recommended to drink yogurt when you are overly full, because yogurt itself is a very filling food, and drinking it after a large meal can increase the feeling of fullness, which is not conducive to digestion. Moreover, yogurt itself contains a certain amount of calories, and drinking it after being full means consuming these extra calories, which can lead to weight gain over time. In fact, there is no specific time limit for drinking yogurt; it can be consumed between meals or before a meal.
Common Misconceptions About Drinking Yogurt
1. Yogurt is suitable for all ages.
In fact, although yogurt is good, it is not suitable for everyone. 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. In addition, diabetics, patients with atherosclerosis, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis should avoid drinking sugar-containing full-fat yogurt, as it can easily aggravate their condition. Groups that 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, patients with cardiovascular diseases, etc.
2. Yogurt is more nutritious than milk.
In terms of nutritional value, the difference between the two is not significant. However, compared to milk, yogurt is easier to digest and absorb, which improves the utilization rate of its nutrients. In addition, most of the sugar in milk is lactose. Some adults lack lactase in their digestive juices, which affects the digestion, absorption, and utilization of lactose, causing stomach discomfort or even diarrhea after drinking milk, a condition known as "lactose intolerance." In this case, yogurt can be used as a substitute for milk. If people with lactose intolerance consume milk with some starchy foods at the same time, it can also alleviate these symptoms.
3. Yogurt cannot be heated.
Some people worry that heating yogurt will kill the lactic acid bacteria in it. In fact, heating yogurt to an appropriate temperature will not kill the lactic acid bacteria; on the contrary, it will increase the activity of the lactic acid bacteria and enhance the health benefits of yogurt. Of course, if heated to too high a temperature, it will kill the lactic acid bacteria. You can place the yogurt in its bag or cup in warm water at about 45°C to slowly warm it up until it is slightly warm and then drink it.
4. The more yogurt you drink, the better.
Some people believe that since yogurt is good for digestive health, they should drink more to enhance its health effects. This view is wrong. Drinking yogurt should also be done in moderation because drinking too much can lead to excessive stomach acid, affecting the gastric mucosa and the secretion of digestive enzymes, and reducing appetite. Moreover, people with excessive stomach acid, or those who often feel a weak spleen and stomach or abdominal bloating, are even less suitable for drinking too much. A healthy person only needs to drink one or two cups of yogurt a day.
9 Types of People Who Should Drink More Yogurt
Hypertension patients.
Domestic and foreign studies have shown that moderate intake of dairy products is beneficial for the prevention and control of hypertension, and low-fat dairy products and fermented dairy products help prevent stroke. In fact, the health benefits of yogurt are more recognized than those of milk. Even if live bacteria do not reach the large intestine, its nutrients are very beneficial for controlling blood pressure. People with arteriosclerosis and hypertension are suitable for drinking yogurt.
People taking antibiotics.
Antibiotics can cause intestinal flora imbalance and also reduce immunity. Therefore, people taking antibiotics should drink yogurt regularly to adjust the flora balance and protect the body's resistance. After stopping the medication, continuing to drink yogurt for a period can greatly reduce the side effects of antibiotics and restore the body's normal flora balance.
Lactose intolerant individuals.
The lactose in milk is the "culprit" causing diarrhea after drinking it. During the process of milk fermentation into yogurt, part of the lactose is converted into lactic acid and other organic acids, which reduces the problem of "lactose intolerance." In addition, lactic acid bacteria themselves produce a large amount of "lactase" to help the body digest lactose. Therefore, lactose intolerant people are most suitable for drinking yogurt.
Diabetics.
Studies have shown that drinking yogurt can not only increase the body's vitamin D level, thereby regulating immunity and promoting blood sugar control, but also increase the level of adiponectin. Adiponectin is a hormone secreted by fat cells that has anti-inflammatory effects and can also regulate glucose metabolism. Therefore, diabetics can drink half a catty of sugar-free yogurt daily; if they are worried about blood lipids, they can drink low-fat yogurt. In addition, yogurt has a low glycemic response, and consuming it with grain-based foods can reduce the glycemic response of the mixed food, which is beneficial for blood sugar control.
People with frequent constipation.
Yogurt contains a large number of active lactic acid bacteria, which can effectively regulate the body's flora balance, promote gastrointestinal motility, and thus relieve constipation. Drinking it on an empty stomach can better promote bowel movements.
People with bad breath.
Studies have shown that for people with bad breath, drinking sugar-free yogurt daily for six weeks can improve their symptoms. This is mainly because the probiotics in yogurt work in the intestines, and the vitamin D in yogurt also has the effect of killing bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract that cause bad breath. It is worth noting that the bactericidal effect of sugary yogurt will be greatly reduced.
Patients with osteoporosis.
After milk is fermented, the solubility of its calcium and phosphorus is improved, and the absorption rate is also better. Studies have confirmed that yogurt has the highest calcium absorption rate among natural foods and is especially suitable for patients with osteoporosis.
People with indigestion.
Compared to regular milk, the protein in yogurt is more easily absorbed. The lactic acid produced after fermentation can inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms, promote gastrointestinal motility and the secretion of digestive juices, and improve the absorption rate of various minerals. It is especially suitable for people with indigestion, the elderly, and children.
People with low immunity.
Studies at home and abroad have shown that consuming yogurt can activate the body's immune system function and inhibit tumors.
So, how should yogurt be stored?
Yogurt Storage Method
Storing yogurt at room temperature not only fails to preserve its nutrients but may also harm health. Experts remind that room temperature storage will significantly shorten the shelf life of yogurt, so it must be stored in the refrigerator.
Because yogurt contains active lactic acid bacteria, it helps with digestion. The calcium and phosphorus in yogurt are also more easily absorbed by the body, and drinking yogurt will not cause bloating, excessive gas, or diarrhea. Therefore, yogurt needs to be refrigerated to control the activity of the lactic acid bacteria inside, keeping their activity stable. At a temperature between 2°C and 6°C, the shelf life is about two to three weeks. However, if left at room temperature, the activity of the lactic acid bacteria will increase significantly due to the high temperature, generally reaching its peak in two to three days. At this time, the yogurt will be abnormally sour in taste. Afterwards, the acidity will gradually decrease, but the yogurt will also spoil quickly.
Yogurt needs to be stored correctly to avoid shortening its shelf life.