5 Things You Need to Know About Vitamins in Yogurt

1. Digest the Information

Yogurt is a super-food that is rich in all forms of vitamins and minerals. It is a prevalent source of calcium, which contributes to bone and colon health, and carries healthy cultures which improve digestion. The active cultures found in natural yogurts can not only aid in a more regular digestive system, but it decreases rates of negative bacteria in the intestines and makes other nutrients easier to absorb. Studies have shown that "active cultures in yogurt increase absorption of other nutrients, which in turn makes protein and fiber easier to absorb."

2. Get Yogurt Protection

Yogurt can help protect the body against a large amount of conditions and diseases. According to www.drsears.com, yogurt has been shown to decrease rates of colon cancer, while aiding in overall colon health. Yogurt has also been shown to aid in bouts of indigestion and is even recommended for patients taking antibiotics to help prevent the risk of yeast or digestive infections. In addition, yogurt has even been shown to lower cholesterol levels, which contributes to overall cardiovascular health.

3. Don't Be Immune to Benefits

Although a wide percentage of the population suffers from dairy or casein allergies, yogurt has been shown easier to digest then most common dairy products. It is highly recommended for children to aid in their proper growth and Vitamin D intake, while it is also advised for the elderly to prevent negative toxins and bacteria in the digestive tract. Perhaps most interesting of all is the fact that yogurt has been shown to boost immunity, and www.drsears.com states, "The bacterial cultures in yogurt have been shown to stimulate infection-fighting white cells in the bloodstream."

4. Get Creative with Cooking

Yogurt is an important part in any healthy diet, especially because it contains protein that is easier to digest because of active cultures. A cup of natural yogurt is an excellent food source to fuel a healthy workout or athlete before a long day. Try adding a small handful of nuts, fresh fruit, or seeds to boost the nutritional value even more. If you hate yogurt, try adding it to healthful dips, mixing into creamy recipes as a replacement for oils or creams, or blending into fresh smoothies. Yogurt can provide a wonderful topping for whole-grain waffles and warm berries in the morning, or even be used as substitute for mayonnaise in chicken salad or deviled egg recipes.

5. Choose the Right Yogurt

It is important to understand the difference between healthful yogurts and the non-beneficial variety when purchasing from a store. Healthy yogurts will have live cultures, no sugar additives, and be plain and natural in flavor. However, many yogurts have vast amounts of sugar, flavorings, and even candy, granola, or jellied fruit added to their contents. It is best to avoid these kinds of yogurts, and choose brands that simply contain active cultures and milk as ingredients. If eating plain yogurt is not appealing, than try adding healthy fruits cut up at home (such as oranges or grapes) or sprinkling small amounts of whole-grain cereal, raisins or almonds atop for a "parfait" effect.

Last updated on: Nov 18, 2009

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