7 Health Benefits of Yogurt

Do you like yogurt? Sometimes spelled yogurt, this fermented milk product has been around for thousands of years. In fact, it is believed that it originated in Bulgaria. From the Gaelic people to the Mongolians, yogurt has been a staple food for many traditional cultures.

These cultures had no heart disease and lived on diets chiefly of fermented milk products and meats! The key was their milk was raw, not pasteurized. Pasteurization destroys many helpful enzymes in the yogurt and other cultured milk products.

Here are just a few of the health benefits you will receive from including yogurt in your daily diet:

• It’s loaded with friendly bacteria called lactobacillus acidophilus that is tolerated and assimilated better by those with allergies.
• Vitamins B and C are increased when raw milk is fermented into yogurt and other products, like kefir and raw cheeses.
• It protects you from bone loss.
• Fermenting milk breaks down difficult to digest milk proteins, so those that are lactose intolerant can usually enjoy the healthy benefits of yogurt.
• Lactase is an enzyme in fermented milk that breaks down the lactose in the digestive system, so yogurt improves your digestion.
• Yogurt is very beneficial for young nursing mothers, children, the elderly and those that are ill.
• Yogurt helps you fight infectious diseases.

Yogurt is easy to make at home and can be used in many different recipes. Smoothies are delicious when yogurt is added to the recipe. Also you can use it to make yogurt cheese, or a drink with lime juice and honey, herbal breads and dough for tart shells. Soak fresh ground wheat in water and a little yogurt overnight to neutralize the phytic acid in the wheat that inhibits digestion. It gives a wonderful sour flavor to breads!