The benefits and harms of yogurt for the human body and its properties

But is yogurt really as healthy for humans as it is advertised to us? What are the real benefits and harms of yogurt packaged in a beautiful jar and wrapper? What is really hidden under this packaging? Today we will figure it out.

The benefits of yogurt

First of all, it is worth considering that only homemade yogurt made from milk and a special ferment containing from two or more active living bacteria, the concentration of which should be at least 10 million cells, has a positive effect on the body – only under such conditions will yogurt be useful.

These bacteria live very shortly, so real yogurt can be stored for no more than a week at temperatures up to +7 degrees Celsius. Think about it: what is in store-bought yogurt that has a shelf life of 30 days or more?

Natural yogurt differs from kefir only in the presence of sugar and fruits. What is its use?

• Rich in vitamins and minerals… These substances strengthen our bones and help them develop fully, have a general strengthening effect on the body and prevent the harmful effects of infections;
• Strengthens the immune system… Daily consumption of 300 grams of yogurt, which contains active microflora, significantly strengthens the immune system, and, accordingly, contributes to the prevention of colds and viral diseases. After a few months of regular yogurt intake, you will notice how much less pain you have become;
• Promotes Gastrointestinal Health… The daily use of yogurt cannot but affect the condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It helps with metabolic disorders affecting the stomach, as well as diarrhea. Some types of yogurt preserve a favorable microflora, protect the gastrointestinal tract while taking antibiotics, which kill bacteria in it and expose the body to new infections. Moreover, yoghurt contains lactobacilli and calcium. The first of these components provides a beneficial intestinal microflora, and the other not only preserves the integrity and elasticity of our bones, but also maintains the normal functioning of the intestines and even prevents the activity of bacteria that provoke the oncological diseases of this organ;
• Helps in the treatment of thrush (vaginal candidiasis)… Taking natural yogurt reduces the number of bacteria that lead to the appearance of plaque on the mucous membrane, similar to dairy products;
• Good for people with lactose intolerance… When yogurt is consumed, its lactic acid bacteria perform the functions of digesting lactose, so this product can be used by people in whose body there are not enough enzymes for the full processing of dairy products;
• Removes excess cholesterol from the body… Eating 100 grams of yogurt a day can get rid of bad cholesterol and increase the amount of good cholesterol in the blood, which will help improve the condition of the whole body;
• Eliminates pathogenic microorganisms… This is due to the product’s ability to synthesize lactate.

It is worth noting that just 100 grams of yogurt contains 15% of the daily requirement for phosphorus and 25% of the requirement for calcium. It contains an easily digestible protein that does not cause allergic reactions.

The useful properties of this product are almost similar to those of kefir, therefore, in addition to the above properties and recommendations for use, it is effective for:

• Old people;
• Suffering from dysbiosis;
• Prevention and treatment of colitis, enteritis;
• Improving the state of the cardiovascular system;
• Strengthening the central nervous system, improving mood and preventing depression thanks to magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin B5, iron and calcium;
• Prevention of osteoporosis (calcium contained in yogurt strengthens bones);
• Treatment of enteritis and colitis;
• Prevention and treatment of diseases characterized by a decrease in the functions of the thyroid and adrenal glands;
• Balancing the hormonal background of women during the period of hormonal disorders and breastfeeding;
• Enhancing the work of the brain;
• Blocking carcinogens and cleansing the body after poisoning;
• Restoration of normal weight.

Yogurt harms

All these properties are remarkable only for natural yoghurt. However, today you can find yoghurts on store shelves with a shelf life of about 30 days, which means that such products will be useless at best, and harm at worst where natural yoghurt benefits the human body.

• Almost all yoghurts contain the preservative E1442… This preservative is necessary in order to increase the shelf life of yogurt, while it destroys all the beneficial properties of the constituents of this product, which could really have a positive effect on the body. Instead, according to most medical practitioners, the substance E1442 (hydroxypropyl dichloromethane phosphate) provokes a serious disease of the pancreas – pancreatic necrosis. These are large molecules contained in corn starch, which, in turn, is part of genetically modified corn and slowly destroys the pancreas, reduces its activity and provokes the emergence of serious diseases;
• These foods are high in sugar… Homemade yoghurt contains about 6 grams of sugar per 150 grams of product, while store-bought yoghurts contain 3-6 times more sugar. The producers of yoghurt came to this decision in order to increase their popularity among consumers and make them much more attractive than the healthier kefir, cottage cheese or sourdough. The sweet and attractive taste of yoghurt means that it can be eaten in large quantities, and this is fraught with edema, obesity, damage to the oral cavity and teeth. The presence of an abundance of sugars makes this product dangerous for diabetics, leading to the leaching of calcium. It should also be noted that different types of yoghurt are characterized not by the content of various juices or fruits, but by flavors that are harmful to human health. Also, most store-bought yoghurts contain sodium citrate (E331), which provokes an increase in the acidity of the stomach and oral cavity;
• Useful components are destroyed very quickly in yoghurts.… After a few days, the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli that our body needs disappear after a few days of storing the yogurt. And the fact that this product is stored in stores for a month or more, and customers buy it far from the first days after the date of manufacture, suggests that they only have to “enjoy” stabilizers and flavorings;
• Fruit cannot exist with lactic acid bacteria… Then what are these ingredients that I find in yogurt? – you ask. Pieces of strawberry, peach, kiwi and other fruits have long lost all their useful properties, since they are added to this product in canned or frozen form. The reason is that fruit acids are incompatible with the beneficial bacteria of fermented milk products. In most cases, instead of real pieces of fresh fruit or berries, flavored and fortified with sugar or citric acid squeezes, which remain after the production of jelly or marmalade, are added to yoghurt. Such pieces are sterilized by a rather original method by exposing them to radioactive radiation;
• Forms carcinogens that are dangerous to the body… Love yogurt for its appealing taste? And how much the kids like him! So, for the presence of this taste in store yoghurts, you should “thank” the manufacturers for adding aspartame or the flavor enhancer E-951 to their composition. When these substances enter the body, they release formic acid, formaldehyde and other harmful carcinogens;
• Yogurt can ferment… This process occurs after the expiration date or the appearance of molds, yeasts and putrefactive bacteria. The multiplication of these microbes leads to the release of carbon dioxide and bloating of the package;
• Most of the bacteria that enter the human body are destroyed by the human immune system… The same bacteria that managed to overcome the attack of immunity provoke the occurrence of gases and diarrhea, which indicates the entry of harmful microbes and toxic substances into the body.

Even natural yogurt has a number of contraindications and is not recommended for:

• Gastritis associated with increased acidity of the stomach;
• Flatulence (increases the formation of gases);
• Diarrhea (has a laxative effect);
• Kidney disease (can cause kidney failure);
• Children under 1 year old (irritates the stomach of a newborn organism);
• Peptic ulcer diseases of the stomach and duodenum.

What can be said for sure about this product is that the benefits and harms of yogurt are a rather controversial issue. It is safe to say that he has many alternative products that affect the body much better, for example, the same kefir.

Store-bought yoghurts are just a marketing ploy and deception of manufacturers who want to make big money at minimal cost, and they absolutely do not care about your health. If you still want to pamper yourself with yogurt, prepare it at home – this way you will know that there are no harmful chemical additives in it.

Nutritional value and chemical composition of yoghurt

Video about the benefits and harms of yogurt