Why Should We Consume Yogurt?

Why Should You Consume Yogurt? Yogurt, which holds an important place in Turkish cuisine, is known for its health benefits thanks to the rich vitamins and minerals it contains. Yogurt is of great importance in the nutrition of every age group from infancy, and thanks to its calcium content, it also plays a role in keeping women healthy during the menopause process. Dyt. Berna Ertuğ from the Nutrition and Diet Department of Memorial Antalya Hospital provided information about the benefits of yogurt.

Supports immunity

Yogurt facilitates digestion and helps the intestines function. Because its lactose content is lower than in milk, it provides an advantage in digestion. Thanks to the probiotics it contains, it supports immunity in addition to digestion. Yogurt strengthens and protects bones due to its calcium content. For this reason, it is of great importance in preventing osteoporosis. The most important function of calcium is to protect bone and tooth health and ensure their development. Therefore, the need for calcium increases especially during periods of rapid growth, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

Rich in phosphorus

Yogurt is also rich in phosphorus. Phosphorus is a building block of DNA and RNA molecules found in cells. It provides all energy cycles in the cell. A 200 g bowl of semi-fat yogurt consists of 36% carbohydrates, 32% protein, and 32% fat. One bowl of yogurt averages 100 kcal.

The vitamins and minerals contained in yogurt are;

 

1. 6.8 g protein
2. 3.5 g fat
3. 8.2 g carbohydrate
4. 100 mg sodium
5. 320 mg potassium
6. 230 mg calcium
7. 200 mg phosphorus
8. 10 mg cholesterol
9. 44 IU vitamin A
10. 2 mg vitamin C

Do not discard the whey from yogurt

During their activities, yogurt bacteria synthesize B_1, B_2, B₃ vitamins. Therefore, these vitamins also support the body in terms of skin health. The whey from yogurt must not be discarded under any circumstances. The high amount of riboflavin it contains is responsible for growth, tissue renewal, and energy metabolism. Yogurt can be consumed at every meal of the day. It can be preferred in main meals or as snacks.

Consume at least one bowl of yogurt per day

The amount of yogurt that should be consumed daily varies depending on the consumption of other dairy groups. If other dairy products are not consumed and it is suitable according to the person's calorie needs, the portion can be increased. If milk and cheese are consumed during the day, consuming at least one bowl of yogurt daily is sufficient. However, if they are not consumed at all, this can increase to 3-4 bowls. Some ready-made yogurts contain high amounts of added sugar and other unhelpful additives. For this reason, it is very important to prefer reliable natural yogurts.