Core Tip: Yogurt is a favorite beverage, yet some yogurts taste sour while others are sweet. Since it's called yogurt, does that mean the sourer it is, the more nutritious it is?
Yogurt is a beloved beverage for many, but its taste varies: some are sour, some are perfectly balanced between sweet and sour, and others are quite sweet. This leads many to wonder: since it's called yogurt, is a sourer yogurt necessarily more nutritious?
Before answering this question, it's first important to understand how milk turns sour.
Lactic acid bacteria are added to milk, which ferment to produce substances like lactic acid, turning the milk into the sour-tasting yogurt we know. Yogurt that leaves the factory normally has sugar or sweeteners added, resulting in a well-balanced sweet and sour taste and a pleasant texture. However, as yogurt is stored, the lactic acid bacteria continue to grow slowly, and its acidity gradually increases. When stored at low temperatures, the acidity of yogurt within its shelf life remains acceptable to the human body, and the activity of the lactic acid bacteria is well-maintained. But the acidity of yogurt has its limits. If the yogurt is removed from the cold chain during storage or transit—for example, if it's left at room temperature or outdoors—the lactic acid bacteria will multiply rapidly, causing the acidity to exceed an acceptable level. Such yogurt will taste very sour, the activity of the bacteria will decrease, the degree of denaturation of milk protein will increase, making it less beneficial for human absorption and for gut health. Therefore, yogurt is not necessarily better the sourer it is.
When buying yogurt, be sure to choose products kept in refrigerated cabinets to ensure they are fresh and safe. If you are purchasing promotional items close to their expiration date, do not be tempted to buy large quantities just to save money, to avoid eating expired yogurt. Since it's inevitable for yogurt to be out of the cold chain for a short period while you shop, you should drink it or put it in the refrigerator as soon as you get home to avoid leaving it at room temperature for too long.
Although milk is also high in calcium, the lactic acid in yogurt combines with calcium, making it even more effective at promoting calcium absorption. Generally, the best time to drink yogurt is between 30 minutes and 2 hours after a meal. However, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, to maximize the calcium-boosting benefits of yogurt, it's best to drink it in the evening.
Reasons:
1. The period from midnight to early morning is when the body's blood calcium levels are lowest, which is favorable for the absorption of calcium from food.
2. During the period from midnight to early morning, there are fewer factors in the body that interfere with calcium absorption.
Tip:
When drinking yogurt at night, remember that certain bacterial strains and acidic substances in yogurt can be harmful to your teeth. You should brush your teeth or rinse your mouth promptly after drinking. Additionally, drinking yogurt on an empty stomach can easily stimulate gastrointestinal emptying, causing the nutrients in the yogurt to be expelled before they can be fully 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 can drink yogurt in the afternoon 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 for their health. Furthermore, drinking yogurt in the afternoon can also help relieve stress and work-related tension.
Reasons:
1. Research indicates that B vitamins can enhance the body's ability to resist radiation damage. Yogurt, being rich in B vitamins, is perfectly suited to provide this benefit. Yogurt can also help mitigate radiation damage and inhibit the decrease in lymphocyte count that can occur after radiation exposure.
2. The tyrosine in yogurt is very helpful in relieving fatigue caused by excessive psychological stress, high tension, and anxiety. After fermentation by lactic acid bacteria, the proteins, peptides, and amino acids in yogurt become smaller particles, greatly increasing the content of free tyrosine, which makes it easier to absorb. Having a cup of yogurt at or after lunch can help office workers relax, stay energetic throughout the afternoon, and ultimately improve work efficiency.
Tip:
It's best to drink yogurt in small, frequent amounts. This is not only more effective but also avoids causing gastrointestinal discomfort from consuming too much. Finally, remember to rinse your mouth after drinking yogurt, as the acidic substances and lactic acid bacteria can affect dental health.
There are contraindications to drinking yogurt
However, yogurt is not a food you can eat without gaining weight. It contains a certain amount of calories, and consuming it in addition to your regular diet can also lead to weight gain. The best solution is to choose yogurt labeled "fat-free" or "low-calorie." Although they may not be as rich and full-flavored as whole-fat yogurt, they are low in calories and won't cause a rapid buildup of calories in the body that leads to weight gain.
Furthermore, yogurt is not suitable for everyone. Patients after gastrointestinal surgery, those with diarrhea, and infants under 1 year old 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's appropriate to drink two cups per day, with each cup being about 125 grams.