Natural yogurt is a fermented dairy product that is a rich source of calcium, iodine, protein and phosphorous. It is devoid of processed sugars that are found in other types of yogurts. Research indicates that incorporating natural yogurt into your diet can provide an abundance of health benefits, from improving immune function to decreasing body fat.
Lowers Cholesterol
Natural yogurt might improve heart health by lowering cholesterol in the body, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Vienna in Austria. Scientists studied the effects of probiotic yogurt -- which contains added healthy bacteria -- and conventional or natural yogurt on patients with normal cholesterol levels. The report, which was published in the June 2006 issue of the journal "Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism," revealed that subjects consuming both types of yogurt for four weeks experienced decreases in cholesterol levels.
Boosts Immune Function
Researchers from the University of Vienna in Austria investigated the impact of probiotic yogurt and conventional yogurt on immunity in young healthy women. Subjects randomly received probiotic yogurt or conventional yogurt for four weeks. Both groups were measured for T lymphocytes, an indicator of immune function, before and after treatment. At the end of the study, which was reported in the February 2006 issue of the "Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism," scientists observed that both groups experienced increases in T lymphocytes production.
Decreases Body Fat
Yogurt might enhance fat loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet, according to a study performed by scientists from the University of Tennessee. Obese subjects followed a reduced-calorie diet with or without yogurt for 12 weeks. Researchers found that the yogurt group lost more body fat, especially around the trunk region, compared to the control group. Scientists reported their findings in the September 2004 issue of the "International Journal of Obesity."
Improves Bone Health
Lactofferin, an iron-binding protein found in yogurt, might improve bone health. Lead author Jillian Cornish and researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand found that lactofeerin reduces the activity of osteoclasts, or the breakdown of bone cells, and increases the activity of osteoblasts, or bone formation cells, according to research published in the May 2004 issue of the journal "Endocrinology."
References
- PubMed: Influence of daily consumption of probiotic and conventional yoghurt on the plasma lipid profile in young healthy women
- PubMed: Daily intake of probiotic as well as conventional yogurt has a stimulating effect on cellular immunity in young healthy women
- International Journal of Obesity: Dairy augmentation of total and central fat loss in obese subjects
- Endocrinology: Lactoferrin Is a Potent Regulator of Bone Cell Activity and Increases Bone Formation in Vivo
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