Generally, the best time to drink yogurt is between 30 minutes and 2 hours after a meal. Under normal circumstances, the pH value of human gastric juice is between 1 and 3. When the stomach is empty, the gastric juice is acidic with a pH value below 2, which is not suitable for the growth of active lactic acid bacteria in yogurt. About two hours after a meal, human gastric juice is diluted, and the pH value rises to 3-5. At this time, drinking yogurt is most beneficial for absorbing its nutrients.
In addition, drinking yogurt on an empty stomach can easily stimulate the gastrointestinal tract to empty, and the nutrients in the yogurt are excreted without being fully digested and absorbed. Drinking it after a meal can reduce this stimulation and allow the yogurt to be slowly absorbed in the stomach.
From the perspective of calcium supplementation, drinking yogurt at night has more benefits. Because the blood calcium content in the human body is lowest from 12 PM to 2 AM, which is beneficial for the absorption of calcium from food. At the same time, there are fewer factors affecting calcium absorption in the body during this period. Although milk also contains high levels of calcium, the lactic acid in yogurt combines with calcium, which can better promote calcium absorption.
When drinking yogurt at night, it is important to remember that certain bacterial strains and acidic substances in yogurt can be harmful to teeth. You should brush your teeth in a timely manner after drinking.