12 Health Benefits of Yogurt

Call it curd or even simply our 'desi dahi'; the deliciousness of yogurt never fails to amaze us. It is not just any dairy product but an important component of our daily diet. In India yogurt is a one of our staple diet. Right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari yogurt is consumed in different forms depending on their varied climatic conditions. Some of these different forms includes buttermilk, lassi, curd rice, chaas, kadi or simply curd with little sugar. The best part of yogurt is that it is tasty enough to be consumed just as it is. Fresh yogurt is made in most of the Indian homes every single day. Yogurt is basically a form of curdled milk which is prepared by fermenting the milk with an addition of a bacteria and allowed to coagulate the milk to thicken into a creamy texture. Apart from cow milk and buffalo milk, lately yogurt is also been made with Soya milk.

Learn more about 12 Ways to Cook With Yogurt

12 Health Benefits of Yogurt

1. Consuming yogurt is nourishing as it is an important source of protein, essential vitamins, calcium and roboflavin.

2. Importantly people who have problem digesting milk can opt for yogurt instead.

3. The millions of 'friendly live and active' bacteria culture that the body gets when we consume yogurt helps our body in many ways. These bacteria that are present in yogurt, break down the lactose that we consume and make it easier to digest.

4. Consumption of yogurt is also beneficial for patients with disorders such as diarrhea, constipation, dysentery and colitis.

5. Yogurt is also known to fight harmful bacteria which causes food poisoning.

6. One of the most important benefit of consuming yogurt regularly is that it is known to keep ulcer causing bacteria in control.

7. The common misconception that yogurt should not be consumed by one who suffers from sore throat is actually a myth. Fresh yogurt can be consumed anytime even during cold. This rule of avoiding yogurt during cold and sore throat applies to refrigerated yogurt, sour yogurt and stale yogurt.

8. Regular consumption of yogurt is beneficial in controlling the burning and itching caused during vaginal infections.

9. Consumption of yogurt helps ease out the burning and itching sensation caused in rectum.

10. Yogurt acts as an excellent moisturizer for your skin. Applying yogurt just itself or mixing it along with honey, lemon juice, and aloe vera serves as excellent beauty packs and acne pack.  

11. Yogurt act as a fantastic hair conditioner for hair. Yogurt can be mixed with henna, aloe vera, egg, honey or lemon for an excellent hair pack that boosts hair growth and provides awesome shine to your hair.

12. Last but not least, one serving of yogurt everyday is associated with longevity. Consumption of yogurt can keep many health related problems at bay and thus help you achieve a healthy, long life.