All yogurt is generally made from milk to which a yogurt "starter" has been added. The starter has live cultures such as lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus bifidus or others. These live cultures are beneficial components that can help improve digestion.
According to the National Institutes of Health, probiotics or live cultures such as lactobacillus acidophilus can help the body produce "vitamin K, lactase, and anti-microbial substances such as acidolin, acidolphilin, lactocidin, and bacteriocin." These all support gastrointestinal health.
Provides Lactase for the Lactose-Intolerant
Consume live culture yogurt if you have difficulty digesting other cow milk products such as cheese or milk. Those who are lactose-intolerant may have less lactase in their gastrointestinal tract, making it harder to digest the lactose sugar present in all cow's milk.
For some people who are lactose-intolerant, consuming small amounts of live culture yogurt is tolerated, as the live cultures include lactase to help you digest the milk sugar. Everyone is different and by eating only a very small amount, you can see how well you are able to digest it.
Can Alleviate Yeast Infections
If you have ever had a yeast infection---which affects both men and women---eating live culture yogurt can help. Yeast infections are the result of the candida albicans strain of microorganisms proliferating in the GI tract. Candida is naturally present in the body and when you are healthy and your immune system is strong, the health flora in your intestines will keep the candida from becoming too large.
Eating live culture yogurt provides the "friendly bacteria" that can help your body regain control of the candida overgrowth. If you do not like yogurt, you can consume supplements that contain just the live cultures.
Provides Vegetarians Protein, B-12
Vegetarians who want an excellent source of protein, calcium and vitamin B-12, normally only found in animal protein, will benefit greatly from eating yogurt regularly. According to the NIH, an 8-oz. serving of yogurt provides eight grams of protein, 490 mg of potassium and about 30 percent of an adult's daily recommendation allowance of calcium. Yogurt also provides vitamin D, riboflavin, phosphorous and vitamin A, an antioxidant. Were you to eat a cup of nonfat Greek yogurt, you would get about 22 grams of protein for less than 150 calories. Of course, you don't have to be vegetarian to eat live culture yogurt: it can be consumed daily in fruit smoothie blender drinks, in place of sour cream on baked potatoes or with low-fat granola.
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