To make yogurt, manufacturers ferment milk by adding bacteria cultures. The bacteria produce lactic acid, creating the characteristic tangy taste of yogurt, and also provide several health benefits. Some yogurts also contain high amounts of fat, sugar and calories that may outweigh the other benefits of the product, so consumers should check labels carefully to make wise choices.
Yogurt and Bacteria
The Food and Drug Administration allows manufacturers to label a refrigerated product as yogurt only if it is made by fermenting a dairy product with a bacterial culture that contains Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. No such standards exist for frozen yogurt. Some manufacturers kill the bacteria with heat treatment after fermentation, so the National Yogurt Association developed a Live and Active Culture seal program to identify refrigerated products with at least 100 million cultures per g and frozen yogurts with 10 million cultures per g. Some yogurts also contain Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidus and other cultures.
Promoting Intestinal Health
Lactobacteria keep the intestinal environment acidic, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, including yeast. The bacterial cultures also stimulate infection-fighting white cells in the bloodstream, promoting immunity. Lactobacteria help to reduce the risk of colon cancer by deactivating harmful nitrates and nitrites before they become carcinogenic.
Digestibility
Yogurt's bacteria break down lactose, the sugar in milk. Individuals who lack the enzyme needed to break down lactose, therefore, can often tolerate yogurt without experiencing the diarrhea, bloating and abdominal cramps typical of lactose intolerance. Beta-galactosidase, another bacterial enzyme in some yogurts, also helps lactose-intolerant individuals absorb milk sugars.
Boosting Nutrition
The bacterial cultures in yogurt help the body to increase calcium and B-vitamin absorption. Lactobacteria also produce vitamin K and B-complex vitamins, as well as short-chain fatty acids that help with fighting cancer.
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