Is yogurt good for the human body? Composition and properties of the product. Natural yogurt: harm and benefit and harm Homemade yogurt in a yogurt maker: benefit and harm

Natural yogurt is very popular among adherents of proper nutrition. Residents of Bulgaria place particular importance on this product. In this country, anything that has added flavorings, flavor enhancers and sweeteners is not considered yogurt. This is not surprising, because it is difficult to get benefits from such a product. Today we will talk about the value and harm of natural yogurt.

Types of yogurt

The food industry, like other areas of activity, does not stand still. Today, leading manufacturing companies supply the following types of yoghurts to store shelves:

Natural - does not include flavorings, fragrances or thickeners. Yogurt is made from starter culture and cow's milk. Can be low-fat or non-fat.
Fruity does not necessarily mean artificial. Dopings, syrups, pieces of fruit and other ingredients (natural) are added to fruit yoghurts. But unscrupulous manufacturers do not miss the opportunity to stuff their products with artificial ingredients.
Flavored - largely consists of all kinds of preservatives, thickeners, flavor enhancers, flavorings, granulated sugar and emulsifiers. You rarely get any benefit from using a product; it all depends on the specific brand.

As for the classification of yoghurts, they are conventionally divided into living and non-living.

Live yogurt contains lactobacilli and contains no preservatives. The shelf life of this composition does not exceed 30 days.

Non-living yogurt is prepared through heat treatment, or pasteurization. Because of this, it is preserved and subject to long-term storage (up to 12 months).

Calorie content of yogurt

Calorie content refers to the energy value of a product. In the process of consuming yogurt, a person saturates the body with vigor and energy. Many leading nutritionists include yogurt in the diet of their patients due to the fact that the product has a relatively low calorie content.

The final energy value depends on the fat content of the milk on which the product is made. For 100 gr. homemade yogurt accounts for from 100 to 245 kcal. The store-bought composition has a lower value, which varies between 60-110 Kcal.

The more additives and preservatives are concentrated in yogurt, the higher its calorie content. Moreover, sugar, which is often supplied to the product, also has an effect. Keep in mind that in your diet you should only use homemade yogurt made with skim milk.

Conventionally, the entire composition of yogurt can be divided into the following components: carbohydrates, fatty acids, milk protein, calcium, iodine, B vitamins, living microorganisms, phosphorus. Naturally, we are talking about natural homemade yogurt. The composition of an artificial product is difficult to determine for sure.
What is the value of yogurt for the human body? Experienced experts advise consuming the composition for dinner to reduce the negative impact on the stomach. The fermented milk product improves intestinal motility, frees the body from toxic substances and even the most complex congestion.
Yogurt should be eaten by people who exercise or are on a diet. Due to the large accumulation of milk proteins and calcium, muscle fibers become denser, reducing the likelihood of damage to joints and bones. In combination with cottage cheese, you will quickly “gain weight” and get rid of fat folds.
The product is recommended for people with gastritis and other stomach diseases. Yogurt coats the mucous membranes and protects them from the appearance of ulcers. In addition, with systematic use, bad breath disappears when a person has not eaten anything for a long time.
The composition has a pleasant feature of strengthening the immune system. To increase protective functions during the flu and acute respiratory viral infections, consume at least 0.3 kg. yogurt daily. In the case of children, this amount should be halved.
Yogurt has properties that prevent early aging of organs and systems. Regular use of this homemade product cleanses the lymph, improves blood quality, and removes cholesterol. All this leads to the prevention of coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, atherosclerosis and varicose veins.
Yogurt eliminates slagging that appears due to poor nutrition and addiction to unhealthy foods. The composition also frees the liver from excess bile and stops the effect of toxic substances on the structure of the internal organ.
Yogurt treats and prevents such a delicate disease as thrush in women and men. The composition also increases brain activity by stimulating neurons. Against this background, memory, visual perception, hand motor skills, and concentration improve. Yogurt should be included in the diet of schoolchildren and students.
Fermented milk products are great for fighting depression. Scientists have proven that a good mood depends on intestinal health. Yogurt supports the functions of the internal organ and prevents overeating. Lightness physically entails lightness of thoughts.
Just one serving of yogurt contains about 30% of an adult's daily calcium requirement. This element is necessary to strengthen teeth and enamel, in particular, bone tissue, hair, and nail plates. The properties are especially useful for women who care about their appearance more than men. That is why yogurt is added to all kinds of cosmetics.

Please note that yoghurts are contraindicated for children under 1 year of age. At first, the baby should be fed breast milk or a special formula. If you purchase yogurt in a store, be sure to look at the composition and expiration date.
If the product contains live bacteria, the shelf life cannot exceed 1 week. Therefore, pay attention to yogurt with active additives, taking into account the fact that it can be stored for about a month. The product contains preservatives.
For a child’s body, it is better to choose a composition with a fat content of no more than 5%; such a product contains the least amount of fillers. All kinds of additives negatively affect the normal development and health of the child.
If you want to purchase yogurt with the greatest benefits, you should give preference to specialized shops that sell only animal products. This type of composition has a shelf life of no more than 4 days.
Such yoghurts are prepared exclusively from natural milk. They can be given even to small children. It is strongly recommended that you consult your pediatrician before giving your child yogurt.

Harm of yogurt

Yogurt is a rather specific product. There are many contradictory disputes and statements surrounding the composition. Some experts confidently state that all natural products have a negative effect on the human body.
They confirm their arguments by the fact that the bacteria contained in fermented milk products, when entering the human body, die from the harsh effects of gastric juice and the immune system.
A small number of surviving microorganisms, breaking through the protective barrier, provoke diarrhea and gas. Thus, pathogenic microbes multiply. The conclusion is that consuming the product is, at a minimum, useless.
As for store-bought yogurts, they are saturated with all kinds of preservatives, additives and carcinogens. According to the rules, the composition of the product allows 33% of all kinds of additives. Keep in mind that fruit yoghurts are the most harmful.
You will not find natural fruits in the product, but its taste is achieved thanks to flavorings. Undoubtedly, such substances do not promise anything good for humans.
Currently, there are still yoghurts that contain pieces of fruit. The downside is that the components of the delicacy were subject to harsh processing. Harmful enzymes often cause flatulence.

Yogurt will undoubtedly be beneficial if you include exclusively homemade ingredients in your diet. When preparing the product yourself, use natural cow's milk and starter culture. Keep an eye on the expiration date.

Video: what are the benefits of yogurt for children

The benefits of yogurt have been talked about more and more often over the past few decades. Many doctors recommend it as a means to improve digestion and as a dietary product. It suits everyone - men, women and children.

Benefits for the body

To understand the effect of this product on the human body, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of its preparation.

Many thousands of years ago in the East, during long journeys, they began to cook drink from. Milk was poured into a special wineskin (animal skin bag) and hung on the back of a horse or camel, on which they set off on the road. The hot sun provided the high temperature necessary for the fermentation process; the oscillatory movements of the animal's body whipped the milk, resulting in a fermented fermented milk product, which later became known as yogurt.

Did you know? In accordance with the Holy Scriptures, the progenitor of the Jewish people Abraham received from an Angel the secrets of fermenting milk, thanks to which he lived about 175 years.

In the last century, the culture of consuming yogurt as a food product that has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was recommended by the Russian scientist Ilya Mechnikov, who advised the use of fermented milk with the addition of bacteria called “Bulgarian bacillus”.

To obtain live yogurt nowadays it is necessary meet three conditions:

Take natural milk as a basis.
Start the fermentation process by heating.
Use live lactobacilli for fermentation.

It is known that milk in its pure form is not digestible by some adults due to the lack of enzymes that break down lactose, the main component. But milk contains milk, which is necessary for humans to build cells throughout the body. Animal proteins also have another name - proteins (from the Greek word "protos", meaning originality, primacy). It is very important to constantly have a source of proteins for the healing and restoration of the body.

Did you know? Yogurt contains in its composition a deficiency of which leads to metabolic disorders. The daily requirement for this vitamin is 1 mcg. To get enough vitamin B12, just eat one or two cups of yogurt a day.

Those whose bodies are unable to break down lactose should replace natural milk with fermented milk products, in which lactose has already been digested by microorganisms that live in fermented milk. In this sense, yogurt is a suitable product for replenishing the body with proteins and carrying a valuable composition of bacteria to restore the intestinal microflora.

Let's take a closer look at how different people's bodies react to it and what benefits this fermented milk drink brings.

Women

Women take more care of their health and appearance than others. Therefore, the issue of healthy eating is one of the first places for them. One of the main products that receives special attention from women is yogurt.

There are several properties of this fermented milk drink that make it so useful, namely:

increases the digestibility of milk protein, already digested by microorganisms contained in yogurt (about 90% of the eaten product is digested within an hour);
improves the condition of the intestinal microflora, thereby improving metabolism and normalizing weight;
live yogurt acts as an antibiotic, neutralizing streptococcal and staphylococcal infections;
restores the body after drug therapy;
slows down the processes of decay in the intestines, cleanses it of putrefactive bacteria, which promotes rejuvenation of the body;
helps in the absorption of micro- and macroelements, vitamins (, and others);
when consumed daily, it increases the production of interferon, which significantly increases the body’s resistance to all kinds of infections;
reduces the risk of development;
reduces arterial blood pressure;

Yogurt is especially beneficial for women. This fermented milk product becomes a safe replacement for antibiotics, slows down the development of fungal infections, does not cause allergies, replenishes the body with milk protein, and relieves constipation that can occur during the first trimester of pregnancy.

In addition to using yogurt as a food product, doctors may also recommend that pregnant women use special capsules containing yogurt bacteria.

This fermented milk product is also used as a cosmetic product for external use. It softens the skin, moisturizes and enriches it well. Face masks are prepared in combination with starch and honey.

Hair masks made with the addition of any of the cosmetic oils are used to reduce oily hair, for...

Men

Along with the properties of yogurt described above, in recent years a positive effect of this product on the urinary system and sexual function of the male body has also been noticed. This was stated by representatives of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who conducted a special study.
The high protein content in yogurt helps improve digestion, weight loss, and build healthy skin.

In 2013, a French company, manufacturer of a huge line of fermented milk products, created a special yogurt for men.
Also, American manufacturers took care of the strong and courageous, and created Greek yogurt with zero fat content and high protein content (25 grams per serving). The formula of this fermented milk product was agreed upon with famous sports trainers and nutritionists.

PowerFul is well suited for men who lead an active lifestyle and care about their health. This drink is used as an excellent natural replacement for protein shakes, which are usually taken before or after an intense workout.

But men don’t have to consume only “men’s” yogurt. A regular product has the same properties and is no less beneficial to the male body.

Children

The health of our children is the concern of the entire adult population. And the nutrition of children must be treated very responsibly.

Real live yogurt is beneficial for children of any age, starting from eight months. Thanks to its use in baby food, a healthy microflora is formed in the child’s intestines, which provides him with good protection against pathogenic bacteria.

Let us recall the complex of useful macro- and vitamins, contained in this fermented milk drink, and their influence on the baby's body:

Milk protein serves as a building material for cells.
and strengthens the teeth.
and have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
Vitamins of the group strengthen the organs of vision, increase the body's antioxidant defense, and increase the level of interferon.
improve metabolism, promote the functioning of the nervous system, relieve the consequences of emotional stress, etc.
reduces the level of “bad” in the blood.

Manufacturers of fermented milk products have developed special yoghurts for children, with a balanced composition of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, enriched with various vitamins. These drinks do not contain preservatives, dyes, or sweeteners. Available in liquid form and thicker form (due to the addition of pectin).

You can also feed your babies homemade yogurt.

There are practically no contraindications to the use of yogurt as a food product for any category of consumers. If the product is made from natural milk using live microorganisms - lacto- and bifidobacteria, it will only bring benefits.

The only limitation when consuming this fermented milk product will be individual intolerance.

A product that was subjected to heat treatment during the manufacturing process to increase its shelf life can be considered harmful or useless. Under such conditions, the necessary bacteria die, and the drink loses its healing and nutritional properties.
If preservatives made from genetically modified corn (indicated by code E1442) are added to yogurt, the drink will be hazardous to health, as it can negatively affect the functions of the pancreas, causing its damage or even necrosis (cell death).

A drink that contains sodium nitrate (code E331), which increases stomach acidity, will also be harmful.

The content of various flavorings and dyes will also degrade the quality and reduce the benefits of the fermented milk product.

How to choose when purchasing

When choosing a drink for yourself or your family that will not only be tasty, but also beneficial, pay attention to several points:

The name should contain only the word “yogurt”, and not its various variations (for example, “yogurt product”, “yogurt”, “frugurt”, etc.). This will serve as confirmation that this is an original, and not a fake similar in name.
The shelf life does not exceed 7 days (this is how long live bacteria remain in the finished drink). If the label indicates a longer shelf life, it means that the product was subjected to heat treatment, which killed beneficial microorganisms.
The drink should be made from natural milk, not powdered milk.
The product does not contain dyes, preservatives, thickeners in the form of starch, various flavors and taste stabilizers.
The drink should not contain pieces of fruit and berries, which some manufacturers process through radiation sterilization.
The hole under the cap in plastic or polyethylene packaging must be hermetically sealed.
The packaging must be intact, without visible damage or dents.

How to store at home

Proper storage of the product ensures its usefulness. Storage conditions at home correspond to the type of drink and indicated on the packaging requirements:

if yogurt contains live microorganisms, it must be stored in the refrigerator for no more than five days;
if we are talking about drinks that imitate yogurt, with preservatives and without starter culture, then the shelf life increases to three months, and not necessarily in the refrigerator (can be stored at temperatures up to +25 ° C);
Storage periods and temperatures must correspond to those indicated on the packaging.

When is the best time to eat it?

There are many opinions regarding the pattern of yogurt consumption: both without special restrictions and with strict adherence to recommendations.

Nutritionists advise taking into account the peculiarities of how food is absorbed by the body and the amount of energy needed during the day.
Based on this, to obtain maximum benefit, we have developed Recommendations for taking yogurt:

Heavy foods that take a long time to digest are taken in the first half of the day, and light fermented milk products are best consumed in the afternoon and before bed. , contained in the drink, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and promotes better sleep.
On an empty stomach, this fermented milk drink can be consumed by those who have low acidity, since yogurt improves the secretion of gastric juice.
This drink can be consumed before, during and after meals. And in each case it will have a beneficial effect on the digestion process.

Now you know that a “live” product will give you energy and improve your body’s health, while a “dead” product, with preservatives and thickeners, will add problems. Choose only healthy fermented milk drinks, store them correctly and enjoy a valuable food product - tasty and healthy yogurt.

The choice of yoghurts today is truly huge. Manufacturers of this product are engaged in active propaganda, telling potential buyers about its beneficial effects on the body, the variety of flavors and other advantages. But we, experienced housewives, cannot be fooled so easily! We know very well that the healthiest yogurt will be the one prepared at home, fortunately there are all the possibilities for this - you just have to get a homemade yogurt maker.

Basic Concepts

A home yogurt maker is a device that is intended, no matter how trivial, for preparing yogurts in the home environment.

Yogurt is a fermented milk product that can skillfully combine both pleasant taste and a high degree of nutritional value, which makes it very popular among both children and the older generation. Yogurt is prepared by fermenting milk with lactic acid bulgaric bacillus and thermophilic streptococcus.

Benefits of yogurt made in a home yogurt maker

Yogurts prepared at home do not contain preservatives, flavors or dyes, which can have a detrimental effect on human health. They are prepared on the basis of natural products, and if the housewife is confident in the quality of the ingredients used to prepare yogurt, then she can have no doubt about the quality of the final product.

Homemade yogurt actually consists of a live yogurt culture.

Making your own yogurt allows you to get a little creative when choosing different toppings for it.

A pleasant aspect is the financial side of the issue under consideration. Homemade yogurt is much cheaper than store-bought.

Rules for preparing yogurt in a home yogurt maker

To make yogurt in a home yogurt maker, the following ingredients are required.

Leaven.

When first preparing, use yogurt from the store. Check out its packaging; it must contain live yogurt culture.

Milk.

Fresh milk is suitable for making yogurt at home, but to fully comply with the technological process, it is better to use milk that has been previously boiled and then cooled to 40-45 degrees.

Yogurt maker.

The operating principle of a yogurt maker is extremely simple. It is designed to maintain a constant temperature for a given period of time.

To make homemade yogurt using a yogurt maker, first mix milk and starter. Then pour the prepared mixture into special containers and place them in the yogurt maker (I leave the containers open). Close the yogurt maker with a lid and turn on the required mode.

Do not move or shake the yogurt maker while preparing homemade yogurt. After 6-8 hours, the containers are moved to the refrigerator, and the fermentation process stops. In an hour, the yogurt is ready!

Yogurt is a healthy treat, isn't it?

This wonderful product has conquered all world markets.

But is it as useful as the girls in the commercials claim?

Tasty medicine or a storehouse of harmful additives?

The article will discuss the beneficial and harmful properties of yogurt.

Yogurt is a fermented milk product, obtained by fermenting milk with special yoghurt bacteria.

In its pure form, yogurt has been known to mankind for more than 3 thousand years since the times of Ancient Babylon. The word “yogurt” is of Turkish origin, but its homeland is Bulgaria.

In Bulgaria, the most stringent requirements are imposed on its composition. Anything that contains dyes, additives, sugar, thickeners and milk powder cannot be called traditional natural yogurt in Bulgaria. In Russia and other countries around the world, laws are looser, and manufacturers supply the market with yoghurts with a wide variety of fillings. Approaching the display window, your eyes widen at such a rich assortment.

Today there are 3 types of yoghurts:

Unflavored yoghurts (natural yoghurt, consisting exclusively of milk and starter culture)

Fruit yoghurts (with added fruits, syrups)

Flavored yoghurts (contain sugar and various flavorings)

Of interest is the classification of yoghurts into the following 2 types:

Alive– contain live bacteria without the addition of preservatives, shelf life cannot exceed 1 month.

Non-living– amenable to heat treatment and preservation, stored for up to 1 year.

Yogurt: what are the benefits for the body?

The high nutritional value of yogurt makes it a product of therapeutic and health nutrition. It is difficult to overestimate their benefits, because yoghurts are rich in a whole range of useful substances:

Milk proteins

Vitamins (B2, B12)

Calcium

Carbohydrates

Live microorganisms

What are the health benefits of yogurt? Doctors recommend replacing a heavy dinner with light yogurt. It is necessary to normalize intestinal activity and improve the digestion process. It has been proven that yogurt is the best prevention of colon cancer. Yogurt effectively relieves the body and helps you feel light and get rid of bad breath.

Its beneficial microflora stimulates the immune system, making the body able to attack various types of viruses and bacteria. By taking 300 g of yogurt daily, you will feel that diseases are avoiding you.

Yogurt stops aging! Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in dairy products cleanse the intestinal walls of harmful toxins. As you know, putrefactive processes pollute our body from the inside and contribute to accelerated aging.

Yogurt helps fight thrush. The number of bacteria responsible for the occurrence of such an unpleasant disease in the body decreases. Therefore, girls of reproductive age are especially recommended to add yogurt to their diet and take care of their health.

Yogurt maintains the required level of cholesterol in the blood and improves brain function. American scientists in their studies provided evidence of the dependence of the development of mental abilities on the intestinal microflora.

Dairy products affect the activity of areas of the brain responsible for the emotional component of intellectual activity. Bad mood and depression? Another beneficial property of yogurt: pure body and, as a result, pure thoughts.

Lactic acid bacteria help in calcium absorption. Interestingly, 100 grams of the product contains more than 25% of the daily calcium requirement. And calcium means shiny hair, healthy teeth, clear skin, strong bones and muscles.

Yogurts are a diet helper! Research conducted by American scientists proves that yogurt helps you lose weight faster. And this is not surprising, because the basis of any diet is improving metabolism and proper bowel function.

Yogurt is an easily digestible product that does not cause allergies. People suffering from milk protein allergies and lactose intolerance can include yogurts in their diet and compensate for the lack of calcium.

Another beneficial property of yogurt: yogurt - excellent cosmetic product. Yogurt masks are great for combating flaking skin.

Who benefits from yogurt?

Pregnant women and girls preparing for pregnancy

Taking medications (especially antibiotics)

Living in areas of unfavorable environmental conditions, where there is a high probability of contracting intestinal infections

Eating in crowded places (cafes, restaurants, canteens)

Those working in hazardous industries

People with weakened immune systems

Teenagers and older people.

Any product has both indications for consumption and contraindications.

Natural yogurt should not be consumed if you have:

High acidity gastritis

Stomach or duodenal ulcer

Kidney diseases

Urinary tract diseases

Yogurt: what is harmful to health?

Bright packaging of yogurt, a flashy advertising slogan, exotic additives - this is, of course, a successful marketing policy for companies. But, as a rule, buyers pay attention to this. And few people think about the harm such a seemingly harmless product can cause to the body. From chemistry lessons we know that fresh vegetables, fruits and berries upset the balance of the fermented milk environment. Unfortunately, thousands of chemical additives pass themselves off as natural ingredients. Manufacturers like to save money and purchase cheap raw materials. It is much more profitable for them to add a flavored unnatural taste to a cheap product than to buy expensive tropical fruits. Just think about the harm they can cause, because many of them are even used in the manufacture of paints and varnishes!

But this is not the worst thing. Manufacturers often use flavor enhancers, which are powerful and dangerous carcinogens. Doctors associate the incidence of pancreatitis in the population with the ever-increasing use of preservatives in food production.

Dentists have a negative attitude towards yoghurts, since they, like chocolate, caramel and juices, destroy tooth enamel. But to avoid harm to the oral cavity, it is enough to simply rinse your mouth after eating and remember to brush your teeth 2 times a day.

Excessive consumption of yoghurts containing 3 times more sugar than normal can cause serious harm to the body and lead to the development of diabetes. Due to the fact that everyone's food tolerance is different, long-term consumption of yoghurt can lead to the formation of kidney stones, flatulence and cramps in the colon. Therefore, it is better to consult with your doctor whether you should consume this product, whether it will be beneficial or harmful for you, and whether your body is predisposed to developing the above diseases.

Calorie content of yogurt

The energy value of a product is called its calorie content. This is the amount of energy that is released in the human body from food during eating. Nutritionists in many countries include yoghurt in the list of products that help you lose extra pounds. Therefore, they are often called dietary. So, how many calories are in yogurt? The calorie content of yogurt is determined by the fat content of the milk used as its base. The calorie content of the finished product ranges from 100 to 250 kcal per 100 g. The calorie content of store-bought yoghurts varies from 50 to 100 kcal. The more fillers yogurt contains, the greater its energy value. For example, the calorie content of natural yogurt with a fat content of 3.2% is 58 kcal per 100 g, and yogurt with fillers is 100 kcal. And this is 2 times more!

Yogurt for children: good or bad?

Children under 9 months are not recommended to include yoghurt in their diet. For the first year of life, a child should receive only breast milk or formula. When choosing yogurt for your child in the store, be sure to pay attention to the expiration date of the product.

For a child, it is better to choose products with a fat content of up to 5% without fillers. Supplements are harmful to the still unformed gastrointestinal tract of children. The healthiest yogurt is stored for no more than 3-4 days and is sold in stores specialized in dairy products. Such yoghurts are made from natural cow's milk, so they can be given even to little ones. Each child is different, so you should still consult with your pediatrician.

To this day, the question remains controversial: “Yogurt – what is more: benefit or harm?”

Some claim that the use of yogurt brings tangible health benefits, while others exclude it from their diet.

But remember a truly healthy product is one that consists exclusively of natural ingredients. The fewer components contained in yogurt, the healthier it is. In order to avoid harm to your body and provide it with exceptional benefits, carefully study the composition, check the expiration date, the presence of dyes and preservatives contained in it. Or try to find a simple recipe for homemade yogurt, the ingredients of which you will be completely sure of. Take kefir, add jam, honey, muesli and your favorite fresh fruit. And your dessert is ready!

It’s hard to imagine a person who wouldn’t want to optimize the condition of their body and organism not through daily training, but through such “ magic pill" And now, advertisers everywhere offer us practically such a means. It just seems even more harmless.

Are living bacteria just a clever marketing ploy?

Who among us does not daily come across commercials for yoghurts with lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and immunomodulators? It seems that just one bottle of such a magical elixir a day, and behold, you are already a beautiful nymph with a slender, toned figure, flat stomach, perfect skin and luxurious hair.

Images of medical symbols, cones, test tubes, microscopes and other laboratory equipment on containers greatly enhance the already positive impression on the average person. And these inscriptions " Tested by immunologists", "WHO Approved", " Recommended by the World Dietetic Association» even more influence our suggestibility.

But is regular drinking yogurt as healthy as marketers present us with its functions? In fact, fermented milk product, like any other, has two sides to the coin. Not only benefits, but also harm are derived from its daily consumption. However, you should learn about everything in order.

Before talking about the benefits and harms of yogurt, you need to understand what this fermented milk product actually is. Essentially, yogurt is whole milk enriched with starter material. The concentration of microorganisms in the base product should not exceed the threshold of 107 CFU per 1 gram. Only in this case does it have the right to be called yogurt, and only in this way does it really bring certain benefits to our body.

This is exactly the content of starter microorganisms that can be found in natural yogurt. There is no point in talking about the benefits and harms of homemade yogurt, because it fully complies with these standards.

But modern products sold in stores and supermarkets, among other things, are flavored with a lot of flavorings, preservatives, organic oils and synthetic additives.

Is yogurt healthy, and what valuable properties does it contain?

If we talk about making your own homemade yogurt, especially if it is made according to all standards, it really is a very valuable product for our body.

The range of its positive effects on our health includes:

Normalization of metabolic and digestive processes;
Elimination of pathogenic microorganisms from the gastrointestinal tract (especially the intestines, from where they are absorbed into the blood);
Immunostimulating and immunomodulating effect (microflora concentrated in fermented milk product actually stimulates protective functions).

Yogurt is enriched with phosphorus and calcium - elements without which it is difficult to imagine the normal functioning of the human body. 100 g of natural yogurt contains about 25% of the daily calcium requirement, as well as up to 15% of the daily phosphorus requirement.

You can make this product yourself using milk and starter culture. But keep in mind that it is important to maintain proportions and not to overdo it, otherwise the concentration of starter microorganisms will exceed all conceivable and inconceivable limits.

If you don’t want to bother too much with making real homemade yogurt, you need to choose the right fermented milk product in the store. The first thing you should pay attention to is its expiration date. Any person of sound mind will understand that yogurt, flavored, moreover, with pieces of fruit or juice, cannot be stored for a month.

And some " immunological“The products are even stored for 6 or more months! It becomes quite obvious that only a truly powerful preservative (or combinations thereof) can provide such a shelf life. In this case, eating yogurt will be useless at best. At worst, it is extremely dangerous.

New generation drinking yoghurts contain the most modern, and at the same time, the most dangerous preservative E1442. Essentially, this substance is a huge molecule extracted from corn starch. Medical practitioners claim that this particular supplement can provoke pancreatic necrosis, a severe and irreversible disease of the pancreas.

Among other things, this substance is extracted mainly from genetically modified corn, which really “hits” the bile ducts and pancreas, disrupting the functioning of these organs and provoking the development of severe pathologies in chronic forms.

Is it worth the risk? Isn't it better to make homemade yogurt, flavoring it with fruits, dried fruits, juices and nuts to suit your taste? The answer is obvious.

Let's agree - real yogurt cannot be stored for more than 7 days. Therefore, if you see a large number in the shelf life column, feel free to put the jar back on the counter. In addition, you should avoid products with variable names, such as “biogurt”, “frugurt”, “yogurtovich”, etc. Behind these plausible names, the manufacturer, as a rule, hides a true chemical bomb, which is hidden in a colorful jar.

Let’s take for consideration the well-known Danone yoghurts, which are already pretty fed up with their intrusive advertising and have set people on edge. Did you know that in Europe the manufacturer of this product was prohibited from using the prefix “bio”? This is how yogurt turned into the no less famous and popular Activia. The fact is that yogurt has nothing to do with “bio”, which means that the manufacturer does not have the right to mislead buyers, according to current European laws.

Yogurt and fruit

To be more attractive than ordinary curdled milk, yogurt simply needs to be tasty. After all, we prefer them not for their resemblance to kefir or fermented baked milk, but for their delicate fruity taste, don’t we? We hold in special esteem products with large pieces of berries and fruits that, it would seem, do not arouse any suspicion - peach like a peach, strawberry like a strawberry, cherry like a cherry. But don't rush to rejoice.

The fact is that fruit acids present in fruits are not “friendly” with starter microorganisms, and provoke chemical reactions that are completely undesirable for health. For this reason, only frozen fruits are used in production, which have long lost their valuable properties.

Yogurts with cereals and dried fruits, especially muesli and prunes, are becoming increasingly popular. The benefits of yogurt with prunes really cannot be disputed (though only if the base product is natural). The interaction of lactic acid bacteria and amino acids becomes a real panacea for a poorly functioning intestine.

All women who consume yogurt with prunes note normalization of their stool. But this is very important for those who monitor their health. The benefits of yogurt with muesli or cereals also occur. The fact is that whole grains and bran lose almost all their beneficial properties during heat treatment. It’s not here, which means you’re guaranteed a shock dose of B vitamins! In addition, the same lactobacilli already known to you will contribute to its adequate absorption.