Introduction: Many people enjoy drinking yogurt, which is also rich in nutritional value and health benefits. However, there are certain taboos to be aware of when consuming yogurt; otherwise, this healthy drink could become dangerous!
9 Important Things to Note When Drinking Yogurt
1. More is not always better
Many people love yogurt, even treating it as a beverage, drinking several bottles a day. Experts point out that drinking yogurt is not a case of "the more, the better," especially for yogurt that is classified as a health food. The recommended suitable population for Mengniu Guanyiru is "those with intestinal dysfunction or low immunity," and the usage and dosage is "twice daily, one cup each time." Experts explain that health foods are functional foods with specific benefits and should not be consumed in large quantities like regular foods. It's important to pay attention to the suitable population and usage instructions to avoid overconsumption.
2. It must be refrigerated, not heated
Many people know that the millions of "bacteria" in yogurt are beneficial, but they don't know how to preserve them. Professor Nan Qingxian explains that when yogurt is first produced, it contains live bacteria, and only refrigeration can preserve them well. Some people also like to heat their yogurt before drinking, which is an even greater waste.
3. For fruit yogurt, add your own
Yajing experts remind that if you want to enhance the flavor of yogurt, it's better to add your own at home. Fruit toppings, jams, and purees undergo multiple processing steps, so their naturalness is not as good as fresh fruit. If you want to add flavor to your yogurt, try chopping up fresh fruit and adding it at home.
4. Yogurt is not better the thicker it is
Many consumers believe that thicker yogurt is better, but in reality, much of the thick texture comes from various thickeners like hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate, pectin, and gelatin. While excessive thickeners satisfy the mouthfeel, they are not beneficial to the body.
5. Yogurt should not be paired with food indiscriminately
Yogurt pairs well with many foods, especially with bread and pastries for breakfast, which is not only delicious but also nutritious. However, yogurt should not be taken with certain medications, such as antibiotics like chloramphenicol and erythromycin, or sulfonamides, as they can kill or destroy the lactic acid bacteria in yogurt. Yogurt is very suitable to be paired with starchy foods, such as rice, noodles, buns, steamed buns, and bread.
6. Don't rely on yogurt for weight loss
Because yogurt contains a large number of active lactic acid bacteria, it can effectively regulate the balance of intestinal flora and promote gastrointestinal motility, thereby relieving constipation. Research has shown a correlation between chronic constipation and weight gain. Yogurt also has a certain satiating effect; drinking a glass when slightly hungry can effectively curb urgent appetite, thereby reducing the amount of food consumed in the next meal.
However, yogurt itself contains a certain amount of calories. If you eat extra on top of your regular diet, there is still a risk of weight gain. The best approach is to choose yogurt labeled as "skim" or "low-calorie." Although their taste is not as rich and mellow as full-fat yogurt, they have fewer calories and are less likely to cause weight gain.7. Ham + lactic acid drinks can easily cause cancer
People who often eat sandwiches with yogurt for breakfast should be cautious. Ham, bacon, and other processed meats in sandwiches, when consumed with lactic acid drinks (which contain organic acids), can easily lead to cancer. To preserve processed meats like sausages, ham, bacon, and cured meats, food manufacturers add nitrates to prevent spoilage and the growth of botulinum bacteria. When nitrates come into contact with organic acids (lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, etc.), they can be converted into a carcinogenic substance called nitrosamine.
8. Don't use yogurt to satisfy hunger
When you're starving, you might immediately grab a yogurt and drink it all at once? This can indeed relieve the feeling of hunger, but it's best not to use yogurt to replace a meal. When the stomach is empty, its acidity is high (pH level is 2), and the unique lactic acid bacteria in the yogurt can easily be killed by stomach acid, greatly diminishing its health benefits.
It's better to drink yogurt 1 to 2 hours after a meal! At this time, the gastric juice is diluted, and the pH level in the stomach is most suitable for the growth of lactic acid bacteria. Additionally, there are more benefits to drinking yogurt at night. Remember to brush your teeth after drinking yogurt, especially at night, as certain bacterial strains and acidic substances in yogurt can be damaging to teeth.9. Yogurt is not suitable for everyone
In fact, while 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 age 1 should not drink yogurt either. Furthermore, diabetic patients, patients with atherosclerosis, and those with cholecystitis and pancreatitis should avoid full-fat, sugar-containing yogurt, as it can easily worsen their condition. Groups that are suitable to drink more yogurt include: frequent drinkers, frequent smokers, people who often work on computers, patients with chronic constipation, patients taking antibiotics, patients with osteoporosis, and patients with cardiovascular diseases.
3 Key Indicators for Buying Yogurt
Identify the type: Some "yogurt drinks" on the market are made from milk (powder), sugar, lactic acid (citric acid), flavorings, and preservatives. Because they contain dead bacteria, they do not have the live bacteria health benefits of real yogurt. Be careful to distinguish them when purchasing.
Check the bacterial strains: The bacterial strains in yogurt determine its health value. Good bacterial strains allow the milk to ferment fully, creating a good taste. High-quality strains like Bifidobacterium longum can withstand stomach acid, bile, and oxygen, allowing them to reach the intestine and exert their effects.
Choose a refrigerated display: Active lactic acid bacteria stop growing in an environment of 0°C to 7°C. However, as the temperature rises, the bacteria will rapidly reproduce and then die quickly. At this point, the yogurt becomes an acidic dairy product without live bacteria, and its nutritional value will be greatly reduced. After opening a yogurt, it is best to consume it within 2 hours.