JOIN USOn your regular visits to the local grocery store, you might have noticed packs of curd and yoghurt displayed adjacent to each other in the cold storage section. Many people think that they are one and the same when in reality they are not.
The key difference is in the way these fermented milk products are manufactured. Curd is prepared by fermenting milk with lactobacillus bacteria, while in yoghurt, two strains of bacteria called Lactobacillus bulgaris and Streptococcus thermophilus are used. Different strains of bacteria produce different kinds of yoghurt in terms of taste, texture and consistency.
Yoghurt is gaining popularity among the masses as an easy-to-consume, fresh and milk-based product that delivers a combination of nutrients that ensure good digestive health. In fact, even people who are lactose intolerant can consume yoghurt in small quantities depending on the severity of their condition. This is because most of the lactose in yoghurt is converted to lactic acid by the bacteria.
Beneficial
Yoghurt has numerous nutrients that help in creating a balance in our daily diet. While it provides vitamins and minerals, it is relatively low in calories. Here are some of the other benefits of yoghurt:
As it contains live bacteria, it supports digestion and improves gut health.
Being a milk-based product, yogurt is a source of nutrients including proteins, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and vitamins that makes it an essential part of a balanced diet. Thanks to its high nutrient density, yoghurt makes a healthy snack.
Yogurt helps in quenching thirst and reducing hunger as it is satiating. It also acts as an energiser due to higher simple sugar level.
It is easily digested and aids in better digestion as well.
Yogurt helps in restoring intestinal flora. It not only manages weight gain but also lowers hypertension and diabetes risk over time.
Nutrition experts say 200 grams of plain yoghurt can deliver 6 grams of protein and a whopping 240 milligrams of calcium.
Plus, yoghurt also sets up an efficient little factory in the intestinal tract and manufactures vitamin B, thus delivering a stockpile of essential vitamins.
With so many benefits and nutrients, it is no wonder that the name yoghurt is derived from the Turkish word yogurur, which means long life.
(The author is the medical director, Danone Nutricia)