Is Yogurt Good For You?

Updated 22.01.2012
This post answers the question: Is Yogurt Good For You?
Then we continue to go into all the reasons why and also what to watch out for.

So, is yogurt good for you?
Short answer: DEFINITELY, yes.

And now for the details…

If you read my post on milk, is milk good for you, then you already have a good idea exactly why yogurt is so beneficial to your health.

Let’s cover the main points:
Yogurt is good for you, provided…

Read: not loaded with sugar. Yogurt should always be plain, without any added sugar or sweetener or even fruit! Why? because that “healthy” fruit often has been laced with sugar syrup!
They’re trying to sneak it iii-in!!

If it’s not heat treated (because then those live cultures ain’t anymore…alive).

The health benefits of yogurt

It contains less lactase (milk sugar, a major problem for some), it has pro-biotics in it and an important enzyme called lactase, which helps digest the little lactose you do get in yogurt.

The calcium found in yogurt helps prevent excess growth of cells in the colon lining and binds cancer inducing bile acids.

By optimizing the digestion, important nutrients like vitamin B12 and the milk’s calcium are absorbed at a much higher rate.

Those beneficial bacteria form a big and essential part of the immune system! Studies have shown that folks who consume yogurt regularly have higher levels of interferon, a MAJOR player in the body’s defense mechanism!

Because it increases the absorption of nutrients, kids will get more protein, smart fats, good natural calcium and other minerals than otherwise. The net result is healthy, optimal growth.
 
In summary: is yogurt good for you? No doubt about it. Just make sure it’s free of sugar and artificial ingredients, that it’s preferably organic and has not been heated.

Then I think you’ll find yogurt to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet. In areas where folks consume a lot of yogurt regularly, the average life span is much longer and folks stay healthy and independent, functioning well into old age.

BTW the best Yogurt overall imo is Greek yogurt, you can find out more about this high protein food here and here’s a post on all the benefits this type of yogurt has.

And if you want more on nutrition in general, please check out my Nutrition Section here.

To Your Health!

Mark

4 Comments

• Yavor says:

  February 6, 2012 at 9:47 PM

  My dad makes his own yogurt. Very delicious

  In the stores however they sell pretty crappy “yogurt.”

  Reply
  • Mark says:

    February 6, 2012 at 9:49 PM

    Wow cool! Do you have a recipe?

    Mark

    Reply
• Yavor says:

  February 7, 2012 at 6:32 PM

  Well he buys organic milk and then uses some yogurt to prepare it. The yogurt turns the milk into yogurt – hope it makes sense

  Reply
  • Mark says:

    February 7, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    Sure, sounds good man!

    Mark

    Reply