Health Benefits of Greek Yogurt – Age-Old Super Food
A staple in the Grecian diet for thousands of years, the Greek yogurt is a rich, creamy, and healthful food that delivers a host of nourishing benefits to the body:
- It sweeps our intestines clean so they can be toxin-free.
- It strengthens our bones and teeth.
- It stabilizes blood pressure by driving down bad cholesterol and lifting good cholesterol levels.
- It may aid in weight loss and stop cancer dead on its tracks.
- It delivers healthy bacteria, allowing our body to digest food and absorb nutrients well.
- It increases our immunity through its healthful bacteria, aiding our body in warding off possible sicknesses.
- It is also high in calcium.
- Unlike milk that has good amounts of calcium, the Greek yogurt is suitable to some of us with lactose intolerance.
- It is high in protein, ideal for us who want to build a ripped physique.
- It is low in calories and low in carbohydrates, perfect for us who want to shed excess pounds.
Greek Yogurt and Its Nutrients
Greek yogurt is a very good source of calcium, iodine, phosphorus, and vitamin B2.
It is also a good source of molybdenum, potassium, protein, tryptophan, vitamin B5, vitamin B12, and zinc.
These nutrients all make yogurt essential to a balanced diet that promotes nourishment.
Health Benefits of Greek Yogurt
In Greece where it was first made, Greek yogurt has been known as an aphrodisiac that can also promote vaginal health.
However, the health benefits of Greek yogurt go well beyond these two.
- Greek Yogurt Promotes a Long and Healthy Life
Its live bacteria allow our body to fight and prevent diseases. These bacteria improve our immunity and brace our defenses against infections. They also improve our immune responses to diseases by making our cells fit.
- Greek Yogurt Speeds Up Fat Loss
Research suggests that the intake of high-calcium foods is positively related to fat loss.
Greek yogurt is high in calcium and low in fats, making it an ideal companion for people who would want to tip the scale at a lower weight.
Also, calcium-rich dairy foods like Greek yogurt boost our bodies’ abilities to torch fats immediately after eating.
- Greek Yogurt Builds Strong Bones
Greek yogurt is great not just for its calcium but also for its lactoferrin, a protein that binds iron and supports osteoblasts, which are the cells that are responsible for promoting bone development.
Amazingly, Greek yogurt’s lactoferrin also delays the activities of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down the bones.
Really, eating Greek yogurt is a good complement to drinking milk and doing exercise, activities that satisfy our bodies’ bone-building needs.
- Greek Yogurt Eases Inflammation
The good bacteria in Greek yogurt are indeed hard workers.
They can even address pains related to inflammation in our bodies, in particular arthritis and inflammatory bowel disorders.
They can both prevent and help cure these inflammations.
Greek Yogurt and Ordinary Yogurt
There is a dizzying variety of yogurt in stores and unsurprisingly, not all of them are created equal.
Some have high fat contents.
Others are packed with too much sugar than we would want.
Still some are quite low in terms of protein punch.
Basically, we would like to stick with low-fat or non-fat yogurts, those with little or no sugar as well as high protein.
Greek yogurt and ordinary yogurt may pack on these desirable nutritional contents.
We just have to do a little checking at their nutrition facts labels.
So next time we shop for yogurts, it would be best to look at the nutritional label at the back of a container first, then make comparisons with those listed in others, before finally buying.
Greek Yogurt versus Ordinary Yogurt
Another valid question, “How do we know which one is Greek yogurt?”
Essentially, there is not much difference between Greek and ordinary yogurts.
- Both are loaded with calcium and healthy bacteria.
- Both can have low calories.
- Both are made by fermenting a dairy produce after adding in healthful bacteria into it.
- Both contain Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, the good bacteria.
However, Greek yogurt is better than ordinary yogurt in some respects.
- Greek yogurt has higher amounts of protein.
- It has lower sugar contents.
- It is safe for everyone, even those suffering from lactose intolerance.
Whys is this the case?
Apparently, it has something to do with the way Greek yogurt is made.
It is made by thoroughly sifting off sugar, lactose, and liquid whey, making it high in protein, low in sugar, and absolutely healthy.
We can tell a Greek yogurt from an ordinary yogurt just by its texture.
Greek yogurt tends to be thick because it underwent careful straining while ordinary yogurt is a bit runny.
Copyright © 2012 Kerlyn Bautista
All Rights Reserved
