Health Benefits of Grass Fed Yogurt

Health Benefits of Grass-Fed Yogurt

Yogurt! We all love it because of the rich and creamy indulgence. Commonly used in condiments, desserts, and snacks, it is considered as ‘superfood.’  

Yogurt is a dairy product made from fermented milk. When natural sugar in milk is fermented, it creates a whole of microorganisms called probiotics. Thus, producing lactic acid and causing the protein to curdle, giving yogurt its unique texture and flavor.  

It is said that yogurt was typically originated from Asia but their no direct evidence.

Yogurt is full of essential protein, calcium, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B2, B12, B5. It does not matter how old you are, yogurt proves to be quite nourishing for your body and is the best thing to add to your diet. It is not just it; yogurt has tons of skin and beauty advantages as well.

Types of Yogurt

There are many forms of yogurt available in the market as full-fat, low-fat, probiotic, grass-fed, flavored, plain, and Greek yogurt. The Greek yogurt is creamier, thick, has more protein, less carb, which makes it the best option in the keto diet. Some manufacturers have introduced yogurt options like almond, coconut, or soy yogurt. Also, curd and kefir are some forms of yogurt used around the world.

The Best Type of Yogurt

Although all forms of yogurt are nutritious, the best form of yogurt is made from the milk of cows, goats, and other animals, which are specifically grass-fed. The best yogurt is the one that has the least processed and contains less or no amount of added sugars and preservatives. The yogurt made from the milk of grass-fed animals (the animals fed by grazing or on a natural diet) is considered more nourishing. It has a comparatively more generous amount of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, beta-carotene, and other nutrients.

Nutritional Facts of Yogurt (per cup)

 Health Benefits of Yogurt

You know we often crave frozen yogurt, but yogurt is not just about that. Yogurt does tons of good for your body. The following are some health advantages of using grass-fed yogurt in your diet.

Gut Health and Immunity

Yogurt proves to be a gift for your messed up digestive system. The stomach is considered as the second brain of your body, so you have got to keep it healthy. The good bacteria in yogurt can be helpful in preventing and curing irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation. Not all kinds of yogurt are suitable for the stomach, as pasteurization and processing kill all the good bacterial culture. So, it is best to use homemade or the least processed yogurt to treat your gut. An interesting fact is that your gut health is directly linked to your immunity. The probiotic content keeps certain bacteria in the stomach alive and enhances the ability to fight infections.

Bone Health

Yogurt has a high concentration of calcium, but it is not just it; the lactic acid, phosphorous, and vitamin D in it helps in the absorption of calcium. These components do not only keep your teeth and bones healthy but also prevent many bone diseases. The daily consumption of yogurt can prevent osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the condition in which bones weaken as people age. Yogurt also helps to heal the bones and avoiding fractures.

Increases Metabolism

The ample amount of protein helps to boost your metabolism and encourages weight loss. The keto diet has all the hype in recent years as it shows promising results in less time. It is based on low carb and high protein diet. Yogurt has a great deal of protein, which makes it an ideal food for keto dieting. In addition, when you eat yogurt, your body uses calories to process the protein, in turn, shedding the extra pounds. Also, the use of yogurt as a snack in a regular diet helps to keep you full and energetic throughout the day.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Yogurt may help to lower the high blood pressure and, thus, reduces the risk of heart diseases. One of the major contributors to hypertension is Sodium. Potassium found in yogurt decrease sodium reabsorption and eliminates excess sodium. According to a report presented at the AHA’s Research sessions, adding yogurt to your diet reduces the risk of hypertension. Longer-term yogurt eaters have lower systolic pressure on an average as compared to those who do not eat any.

More Benefits

Yogurt helps to regulate cholesterol levels and protects you from heart diseases. It has a low glycemic index and is ideal to be consumed by diabetic patients. Also, the specific components in yogurt have been found helpful to cure yeast infection. The yogurt has anti-cancer properties. Studies show that this snack enhances your mood.

Ways of Adding Yogurt to your Diet

Yogurt is the easiest thing to add to your diet. You can eat it as it is or can add toppings of your favorite fruits like berries and banana, or you can also add granola, seeds, and dry fruits. Smoothie bowls are delicious and healthy; adding yogurt to your smoothies and milkshakes gives a thick, creamy texture to it and also add to health benefits. Yogurt can also be used as dipping sauces in combination with cardamom, garlic and provides an excellent alternative to mayo and sour cream.

How to Make Yogurt at Home?

You can easily make your yogurt at home. Just boil some milk and let it cool a bit. Now, add a bacterial starter to it. It is more convenient to add some plain yogurt with active bacterial culture to it. (1 tbsp for 1liter milk). Add 1tsp sugar to feed the bacteria. Now take a clean container and add the yogurt in it, cover it and let it sit overnight at room temperature. Make sure it is still. The next morning strain it with a cheesecloth to get a thicker consistency. Refrigerate it if you want to. And your homemade yogurt is ready. You can use this yogurt to make more and so on. Add your favorite flavors to it and enjoy it. It is the most economical way to get that fantastic food and beauty product.

Side Effects of Eating Yogurt

There are no reported side effects of eating yogurt. However, make sure it is from the right source and not contaminated. Also, you must be sure about your requirements, like if you want to avoid weight gain, use low-fat or Greek yogurt. If you have diabetes, avoid yogurt with high sugar content. It is safe, in fact, healthy for pregnant or lactating women.

Risks  

Some people who are lactose intolerant may also be sensitive to yogurt and face indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. So, if you are allergic to milk and certain dairy products, you must avoid yogurt.

The persons with any severe immunity disorders are not suggested to use yogurt.

Interactions  

Some antibiotics can interact with yogurt. Calcium and bacteria in yogurt may decrease the effectiveness of the antibiotic medication. It is best to eat yogurt at least two hours before using your medicine.

Dosage

A dosage of 20 to 25g is recommended for the use for the treatment of gut issues.  

Uses for Skin

Got sick of those breakouts and wrinkles? Do not worry; we have your back. The natural ingredient, aka yogurt, is all you need. The lactic acid in yogurt helps to tighten pores, reduces wrinkles, and brightens your skin. This is not just it; the antibacterial properties of yogurt help to get rid of acne. In case you have oily skin, the zinc in yogurt help to balance the oil in your skin.

How to Use Yogurt on Skin?

You can simply apply yogurt to your face as a mask and wash with cold water to get an instant glow.

Yogurt Facemask 

Take some fullers earth powder in a bowl, add yogurt to make a mixture. Now add some honey, and make a smooth mixture. Apply a thin layer on the face and wash after fully dries. Get a stunning, youthful complexion.

Yogurt Scrub

Add oatmeal or sugar to yogurt and use it as a natural scrub to thoroughly cleanse your face and body.

Yogurt for Hair

Yogurt serves as a natural conditioner for your hair. Despite using harsh chemicals, apply yogurt to your hair, and get rid of dandruff. Mixing yogurt with your hair oil will get you stunning, smooth, and slick hair.

Final Word

To conclude, yogurt is indeed a superfood for its medicinal use. It helps to treat digestive services, improves immunity and metabolism. Yogurt fulfills the calcium requirement of your bones. Yogurt makes a rich, creamy snack. It has tons of good skincare and beauty uses as well. It can be used as a hair mask to get silky hair. There are several types of yogurt available in the market as per your requirement. However, organic yogurt made from the milk of grass-fed animals is the most nourishing. Yogurt is mostly safe and healthy; however; If you have any allergies or are taking any medication, make sure to consult your doctor regarding the consumption of yogurt.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6434678/

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/benefits-yogurt

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-surprising-benefits-yogurt-youd-want-know.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723057/