Is Yogurt Good for You?

By Karen Frazier

Nutrition Counselor

Is yogurt good for you? It appears that the answer is a resounding yes.

What Is Yogurt?

Yogurt is a thick, custardy dairy product made from natural bacterial fermentation of milk. To make yogurt, active bacterial cultures are added to milk or cream. There are several different bacteria used to culture yogurt: lactobacillus acidophilus, streptococcus thermophilis and lactobacillus bulgaricus are common choices.

Commercially-prepared yogurt is available pretty much anywhere you shop for groceries. You can also make yogurt at home. Another popular form of yogurt is frozen yogurt, which can be found in grocery stores and at most places that sell ice cream.

Is Yogurt Good For You?

With bacteria like streptococcus as a main ingredient, you might be wondering, is yogurt good for you really? These bacteria are considered beneficial bacteria that help preserve a good balance of healthy intestinal flora. Some bacteria is necessary in the human body to keep yeast at bay. As a matter of fact, yogurt is recommended after a course of antibiotics to replenish the healthy bacteria that has been killed off by the antibiotics. After taking a broad-spectrum antibiotic, often the drug has not only killed the bacteria causing the infection, but also the beneficial bacteria the body needs to function and balance out yeast. Yogurt can be very helpful in replenishing this bacteria.

One of the terms that you hear bandied about in health circles these days is "probiotics". Quite simply, probiotics are living organisms that help to benefit your health. Probiotics have positive effects on digestion, intestinal health and immune function. Yogurt containing "live and active cultures" are probiotic in nature. For pro-biotic benefits be sure to check the label for the words, "live and active cultures."

Other Health Benefits of Yogurt

As you can see, it definitely makes points as far as probiotics, but what about the nutritional profile of yogurt. Are there other health benefits as well? The answer to that question is an unqualified yes.

Yogurt gives you a healthy dose of protein. A six ounce serving has about nine grams of protein.

Yogurt confers all of the health benefits of other dairy foods, including being rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin D and vitamins B-2 and B-12.

Is mr cream a good yorghurt? What other yurghurt is preferable for it probiotic beneft?

Johnsinia:
Is mr cream a good yorghurt? What other yurghurt is preferable for it probiotic beneft?

It better be good. I'm addicted to it.