There are many different types of yogurts on the market, but one that has gained huge popularity over the last few years is Greek yogurt.
What makes this yogurt different from other yogurts is its nutritional profile. It’s full of calcium, protein, probiotics, potassium, and vitamin B12. To add to this, it also contains less lactose than other dairy products. Furthermore, the acidic property of this type of yogurt makes it easier for your body to absorb other important nutrients.
Greek yogurt is a versatile food that can be used in a number of ways. You can eat it on its own as a healthy snack, or on top of fruits and nuts of your choosing. It can also be added to smoothies or blended drinks. No matter how you choose to eat Greek yogurt, you’ll reap the benefits of its nutritional profile.
Below you’ll find the top 8 health benefits of Greek yogurt.
The probiotics also help to move food through the gut, promoting bowel regularity. Moreover, its nutritional profile helps with the digestion of other foods. This is also important for regular bowel movements and preventing problems such as constipation.
2. Improves Digestive Health
One of the main benefits of Greek yogurt is the probiotics it contains. Our digestive tract contains different types of bacteria – some good and some bad. The good bacteria that you get from the probiotics in Greek yogurt help to further increase the good bacteria in your gut and promote digestive health.
3. Aids Weight Loss
If you’re trying to shed some pounds, including non-fat Greek yogurt in your diet is a must. Greek yogurt contains double the amount of protein that traditional yogurt has. Therefore, since the body takes longer to digest protein, it will help you feel fuller for a longer period of time. This will help to curb your appetite between regular meals, which is important when you’re trying to lose weight.
Plus, Greek yogurt contains a good amount of calcium, which can limit fat production in the body. The iodine in Greek yogurt is important for proper thyroid functioning, which is essential for a healthy metabolism. The better your metabolism, the easier it is to lose weight.
To keep your blood pressure under control, add a few cups of Greek yogurt to your diet. The potassium present in it helps to control blood pressure. Just one cup of Greek yogurt contains 240mg of potassium.
Potassium relaxes and prevents constriction of blood vessels, which would otherwise cause blood pressure to increase. This mineral also balances out the negative effects of sodium. Additionally, Greek yogurt is an important source of calcium and magnesium, which is believed to help lower blood pressure.
5. Keeps the Brain Healthy
The probiotics play an important role in maintaining a healthy balance between the gut and the brain. These are linked through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, where there are several neurons that are important for a healthy mind.
To add to this, the vitamin B12 in Greek yogurt allows brain cells to form new connections, a process that allows memory formation. Vitamin B12 is a vital component of myelin, the coating that protects many brain cells.
6. Boosts Immunity
A healthy immune system is a must if you wish to leave a disease-free life. To boost your immunity, you should consider eating Greek yogurt.
Yogurts with live cultures can lead to higher levels of immunity-boosting cells. The healthy bacteria in the yogurt signal to the immune-boosting cells in your body to power up and fight off harmful germs. The good microbes also help the body absorb nutrients properly and make the digestive system strong. These two factors are extremely important in boosting the immune system.
The good microbes living in your intestines can influence your mood and anxiety level. In fact, eating some Greek yogurt on a daily basis gives a boost to these good microbes. Therefore, Greek yogurt can help fight off depression and improve your mood.
Additionally, the potassium in Greek yogurt helps to maintain the electrical conductivity of the brain and nerve transmissions. It also helps in transporting serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of well-being and happiness.
8. Supports Bone Health
When it comes to bone health, Greek yogurt is extremely beneficial as it contains calcium, which is important for building and maintaining strong bones and muscles. Without adequate calcium levels, bones will become weak and there is an increased risk of osteoporosis, a progressive disease which weakens bones, making them vulnerable to fractures. One serving of Greek yogurt contains 18.7% of your daily calcium requirement.
Apart from calcium, the magnesium, protein, potassium, and phosphorous present in it work together to promote strong and healthy bones.
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