Health Benefits of Yogurt

Yogurt is a calcium powerhouse and a source of high-quality protein. Yogurt is nutrient rich because it is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals for its calories!

The nutritional and caloric contents of yogurt are similar to those of the fluid milk from which it is made. So, it is an important source of calcium, protein, vitamins A, riboflavin, phosphorus and potassium.  In fact, one serving of yogurt contains about as much potassium as a banana (around 400 mg).

Following are some important benefits of yogurt

1. Aid in digestion

Yogurt is made by bacterial fermentation of milk, a process that may boost digestive health because it produces the same good bacteria found in the gut. Plus, some yogurt contains additional good bacteria known as probiotics. MayoClinic.com reports that probiotics may help with digestion and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as diarrhea following treatment with antibiotics, which kill off both good and bad bacteria

2. Source of Vitamins

One serving is a significant source of potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin, iodine, zinc, and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Yogurt also contains B12, which maintains red blood cells and helps keep your nervous system functioning properly. "Vitamin B12 is found mostly in animal products, such as chicken and fish, so strict vegetarians can easily fall short.

3. Help against weak bones and osteoprosis

Yoghurt provides calcium to help maintain bone density and strength throughout life. "Low fat yoghurt is a great source of calcium which we need for strong bones," according to food coach and dietitian Sasha Watkins.

BDA spokesperson Rebecca Dunn says: "Adults require 700mg of calcium per day and one standard pot (150g) of yoghurt will provide a third of this. Calcium is important at all ages, as it promotes healthy teeth and bones and prevents diseases such as osteoporosis."

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the bones in our body to become fragile and prone to breaking. The National Osteoporosis Society says it's important to have a well balanced calcium rich diet to provide all the nutrients your bones need, and to make sure you get enough vitamin D.

4. Provide "Good Bacteria"

he words "live and active cultures" on the container mean that your yogurt has probiotics, beneficial bugs that live in your digestive tract and help crowd out harmful microorganisms that can cause intestinal infections. (Only a very small number of companies put yogurt through a post-pasteurization process that kills off all bacteria). But many varieties now also contain special strains of probiotics meant to help regulate your digestion or strengthen your immune system.

5. Help in Lactose intolerance

Although the lactose content of yogurt is naturally lower than milk, research has shown that the lactose that is present in yogurt is better tolerated by individuals with low production of lactase (hypolactasia) than lactose in an equivalent quantity in milk.

This may be due to several factors including the activity of live bacteria in the yogurt or the digestive action of other enzymes on lactose such as bacterial β-galactosidase. The increased viscosity of yogurt compared with milk has also been suggested as a potential explanation, as this may result in slower emptying from the stomach and thus a longer transit through the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn may improve the absorption and reduce the amount of lactose present in the colon.