Greek yogurt has other names such as strained yogurt, yogurt cheese, or labneh. The resultant thick consistency is obtained from the removal of whey in the yogurt. Greek yogurt is a great, healthy food. It is rich in various ways as we shall look at in this article.
Health Benefit 1: Digestive Benefits
Greek Yogurt is rich in probiotics, type of bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut. Our digestive tract ordinarily has various types of bacteria-good and bad. The probiotics in the Greek yogurt help add up the number of good bacteria, which has the effect of decreasing the number of bad bacteria. This is important in combating diseases such as diarrhea and irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).It also helps combat other ailments such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
Health Benefit 2: Lowers Blood Pressure
Being a dairy food, Greek Yogurt is rich in calcium. Magnesium and potassium, all of which are essential in lowering blood pressure.
Health Benefit 3: Weight Management
Greek yogurt is credited for it’s double the amount of protein compared with conventional yogurt. The protein in Greek Yogurt takes the body longer to digest, so you feel and stay full for longer. This is really important to help reduce your appetite between regular meals when attempting to lose weight.
Health Benefit 4: Bone Health
Greek Yogurt contains such nutrients as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and protein, all of which in tandem to promote healthy bones. It offers a complete set of nutrients that are absent in iron and calcium supplements. A study found that it is healthier to obtain calcium directly from dairy foods such as Greek yogurt than from supplements.
Health Benefit 5: Combats Lactose Intolerance
Bydefinition, lactose intolerance refers to the sensitivity to the milk sugar known as lactose. This sensitivity causes bloating, flatulence and diarrhea. The lactose is mostly found in dairy foods such as milk. Thankfully, Greek yogurt is a lower lactose food, providing a mere 4 grams of lactose. The lower amount of lactose found in Greek yogurt results from the straining process, making it a friendly dairy food to those with lactose-intolerant. Additionally, the probiotics found in Greek yogurt assist in the breakdown the lactose sugar, hence making it digestible.
Health Benefit 6: Low sodium
Salt is avoided by many consumers due to various health concerns. Thankfully, Greek yogurt has lower amount of sodium .Even with 50% less of sodium, it still tastes great and is healthy.
Health Benefit 7: Muscle Accretion
Greek Yogurt is a choice food for aspiring body builders. This is because it contains 30 percent proteins, hence a suitable muscle-building food. The fact that it is low in fat is a plus for body builders.
Health Benefit 8: Versatile Food
Greek Yogurt is a versatile food. It mixes well with your favorite berries for a zesty dessert. For breakfasts, you may put granola in your yogurt. Greek Yogurt can be used as a sauce for chicken, beef or fish. You may wind up with two spoonfuls of honey added to your Greek yogurt. It tastes great! Use it as a sauce for chicken, beef or fish. The options available for using the Greek yogurt are plenty.
Image Credit : ProjectManhattan via Creative Commons – Share Alike 3.0
