He natural yogurt Is a functional food, known for a long time because of the various beneficial effects and properties it has on health.
Regular consumption of this dairy product is able to strengthen the immune system, improve intestinal flora, prevent diarrhea and even prevent cancer, thanks to the lactobacilli present in it.
You may also like to know The advantages of kefir or tibi .
If you want to know 10 of the most important Benefits of taking yogurt , Which have been demonstrated by scientific research, pay attention to this article.
1-Regulates the intestinal microflora
Bacteria present in the intestine are important in many ways. They collaborate with the processes of digestion, they help the absorption of certain foods, Stimulate the immune system And prevent the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
The intestinal microflora (set of bacteria that normally inhabit the intestine) can be altered by several factors, such as stress, changes in diet, antibiotic treatment, Alcohol consumption , etc.
The probiotics present in natural yogurt are able to restore balance in the intestinal flora, preventing the proliferation of harmful bacteria that could cause various diseases.
2-Reduces cholesterol
If you have high cholesterol and you like yogurt, then there is good news for you.
A recently released study by the American Heart Association has shown that two daily doses of certain probiotics present in some types of yogurt may Lower blood cholesterol .
The research was conducted at McGill University in Canada and showed that people who received probiotics during the 9 weeks of the study, reduced their"bad"cholesterol by 11% compared to the group of control.
3-Avoid the diarrhea
According to WHO data, it is estimated that there are more than 800 million episodes of diarrhea annually worldwide, which cause visits to the pediatrician, hospitalizations and in some cases the death of children and young people, even in developed countries.
Studies have shown that some of the bacteria present in the dairy fermentation are able to significantly reduce the risk of diarrhea in infants.
Canadian scientists belonging to a research program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton conducted a study About this preventive effect in children. He concluded that after treatment with antibiotics, lactobacilli and other bacteria present in yogurt were able to decrease the risk of diarrhea.
4-Protects the stomach
Among the most frequent stomach conditions in the population are gastritis and stomach or duodenal ulcers.
In many cases, these diseases are associated with the presence in the stomach of a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori.
Some scientific research has shown that lactobacilli of yogurt are able to inhibit colonization by this bacteria, in addition to having a protective effect on the gastric mucosa.
In short, if you have gastritis, drinking one cup of yogurt a day can help relieve your symptoms.
5-Helps prevent cancer
The beneficial bacteria present in fermented milks can also reduce the risk of suffering from various types of cancer.
Apparently, the regulation of the intestinal flora promoted by these bacteria and the stimulation they perform on the immune system would be the mechanisms that achieve the antitumor effect.
In various laboratory tests, probiotics have been shown to decrease the risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, and bladder cancer.
6-Relieves allergies
Apparently, the famous probiotics can also cure or at least alleviate allergies. It is known that the lymphoid tissue present in the intestine plays a very important role in the development of these conditions.
Probiotics reduce intestinal inflammation, balance the lymphocyte population, and regulate the secretion of cytokines, all of which helps to decrease the occurrence of allergies.
7-Fight overweight and obesity
Did you know that yogurt can help you lose weight?
A study published in the International Journal of Obesity, Showed that the substitution of certain foods for yogurt (with equal caloric content), helped a group of people with obesity lose more pounds.
People who took yogurt, as part of a low-calorie diet, lost 22% more total body weight and also reduced 80% more abdominal fat, compared to people who did not include this food in their diets.
The numbers speak for themselves, do not you think?
8-Reduces the risk of diabetes
A daily cup of yogurt may lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is what the results of a Study conducted at Harvard University.
The research was based on information from diets carried by more than 200 thousand health professionals.
Scientists tracked their eating for 30 years, finding that those who had included a serving of yogurt in their daily diet had a 18% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
9-Relieves lactose intolerance
Many people around the world suffer from lactose intolerance. In many cases, intolerance is due to the deficiency of an enzyme called lactase, which is responsible for digesting lactose (a sugar), present in The milk And other dairy products.
However, various scientific studies have revealed that certain lactobacilli present in yogurt are capable of digesting lactose, facilitating the digestion of this sugar in intolerant people.
10-Avoid vaginal infections
Candidiasis is the most common vaginal infection. It is a yeast (fungus) that colonizes and proliferates in the area causing itching and burning, among other discomforts.
Some studies indicate that the consumption of one serving of yogurt daily can reduce the incidence of this type of infection because the lactobacilli present in the yeast easily colonize the region, preventing the proliferation of the fungus.
As you see, drinking a cup of yogurt daily can be very beneficial to your health. Whole or skimmed yogurts, made from milk from free grass fed cows, are recommended.
11-Improves the appearance of the skin
You do not need to spend a lot of money on dermatological treatments. Yogurt contains lactic acid, which can help exfoliate the upper layers of the epidermis, lighten blemishes and discolorations, and even reduce wrinkles.
12-Source of vitamins
Yogurt is an important source of potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, iodine, zinc, and vitamin B5. It also contains vitamin B12, which keeps the red cells and helps the nervous system to function properly.
13-Help recover after exercise
With the right proportion of protein and carbohydrates, yogurt, especially high in proteins like Greek, are a good choice for ingesting after exercise.
Proteins contain the amino acids that need the muscles to repair and the carbohydrates replace the stored energies.
14-Prevent Colds
According to a study by the University of Vienna, women who ate one serving of yogurt a day had more active and stronger T cells , Which fight diseases and infections.
The healthy bacteria found in yogurt help send signals to immune stimulation cells to fight harmful viruses or bacteria.
People with allergies, who usually have low T-cell levels, may decrease their symptoms by adding yogurt to their diets. In a published study in Journal of Nutrition , People who ate one serving a day had fewer symptoms than those who did not take anything.
15-It can help you have a more beautiful smile
Scientists at the University of Turkia evaluated yogurts low in fat and flavor, and found that none eroded tooth enamel, the main cause of cavities. The lactic acid in yogurt looks like it also protects the gums.
What beneficial effects have you observed? I am interested in your opinion. Thanks!