Greek Yogurt - Health Benefits

Surely, each of us at least once heard about such a dairy product as Greek yogurt. It contains beneficial bacteria that improve bowel function, and the preparation of the product is based on high-quality pasteurized milk. Consider the purposes for which this product can be used, what is its benefit and harm, as well as other interesting information.

General information and composition

Greek yogurt differs from ordinary yogurt in that during its preparation excess fluid is drained, which is popularly called serum. Previously, the product enjoyed wide popularity abroad - but gradually they began to prepare it with us, and the drink quickly gained popularity due to the huge number of useful properties at low calorie content. It is recommended to add to salads, drink instead of eating (losing weight), as well as prepare delicious smoothies and cold soups based on Greek yogurt.

The product has another name - yogurt cheese. By consistency, it resembles sour cream, but has a richer chemical composition with a low percentage of fat and calories. The taste is slightly acidic, and the color can range from white to milky.

Important! Dietitians recommend Greek yogurt to be added to dishes for people who want to lose weight. Despite the fact that there is very little fat in the product, the protein content is high - and this is simply necessary in order not to lose muscle mass when dieting. Sugar in yogurt cheese is as little as salt.

The product contains very little lactose - which means that it can be consumed (with caution) by people who have lactose intolerance. It is noteworthy that unlike other dairy products, yogurt can be drunk without fear for the general condition of the body: it does not provoke irritation of the gastric mucosa, does not cause diarrhea.

The drink is perfect for people who suffer from a disease such as diabetes - due to the fact that in yogurt cheese there is practically no sugar and other harmful carbohydrates.

The composition contains a large number of useful substances, namely:

• vitamins - choline, PP, BB;
• phosphorus - takes an active part in the formation of the skeletal system;
• calcium - strengthens bones and teeth;
• chlorine - helps to normalize metabolism;
• potassium - necessary for the cardiovascular system.

In small quantities, the product also contains copper, magnesium, sulfur, fluorine and sodium.

Such yogurt can be taken by people with diabetes because of the low content of sugar and other carbohydrates.

Greek yogurt contains a large amount of calcium, potassium, chlorine and phosphorus. Slightly less - sulfur, sodium and fluorine. Magnesium, copper and molybdenum are found in Greek yogurt in small quantities. In yogurt a large number of B vitamins, choline, there is vitamin PP in it.

What are the benefits?

Already on the basis of the composition of the product, we can say with confidence: its regular use allows you to always remain full of strength, healthy, beautiful. But let us consider more specifically what changes for the better can be achieved if you include Greek yogurt in your daily diet:

1. Beautiful and strong hair, nails, good skin and even complexion - thanks to its high calcium content.
2. The product is required for use by young children and women who are in position or breastfeeding - it was during this period that they most needed an additional source of nutrients.
3. Great work of the digestive tract.The product cannot be processed (namely, pasteurization) unlike other types of yogurt, therefore, it retains all the beneficial lactobacilli that successfully fight both constipation and diarrhea, and also reduce the likelihood of cancer.
4. It helps to accelerate metabolic processes in the body, so you can significantly lose weight if you replace the evening meal with a glass of this drink. And adding a little greens and garlic to it, you will make an amazing drink that will remove harmful toxins from the body.
5. Due to the high content of vitamin B, you can improve the functioning of the nervous system. Neurosis, insomnia - all these troubles will not be terrible, as well as general fatigue.
6. The product contains extremely few fatty acids. That is, Greek yogurt can be drunk by people who suffer from atherosclerosis - which can not be said about fat milk or sweet yogurts with harmful additives (they increase the level of bad cholesterol in the blood).
7. Helps strengthen immunity - and this means that seasonal diseases can not be afraid.
8. For those who are losing weight, the product is a real find - if you can not control hunger while following a diet, between meals it is enough to drink a glass of yogurt cheese. So you can control your appetite, this will save you from overeating, respectively, and from breakdowns.

How to store the product?

Experts say the best option is to cook Greek yogurt at home, with your own hands. So you will definitely know that it does not contain harmful additives, as well as preservatives, which unscrupulous manufacturers often add to the product in order to extend its shelf life.

When choosing, special attention should be paid to the composition of sour milk. Dyes, E-shek, thickeners should not be present. If you see that the shelf life of the product is more than a month - refuse such a product, preservatives are definitely present in its composition. Also do not take fatty foods - in real Greek yogurt the fat content is not more than 4%.

If you have already opened a jar - you need to use it on the same day, otherwise all the benefits will disappear. In the closed state, the product can be stored for as long as the manufacturer indicated on the package.

How to apply?

As already mentioned above, Greek yogurt will be indispensable for various diets - it satisfies the hunger, stabilizes blood sugar, which means that you not only saturate the body with useful substances, but also are reliably protected from overeating.

The product has the ability to neutralize fat - it can be used as a marinade for fatty meat or poultry. It is noteworthy that yogurt cheese has amazing properties to make dry meat juicy and tender, and fatty meat tastes good. A delicious dietary sauce based on Greek yogurt can also be prepared - it will suit both meat and salad dressing.

Due to the fact that the product has a rather thick consistency, it can quite successfully replace harmful mayonnaise and fat sour cream. After a month, you will notice positive changes regarding the quality of your body.

Want to make your skin soft, give it a fresh and radiant look? In this case, with the addition of Greek yogurt, you can make a face mask. The regular use of such masks will allow you to remove wrinkles, smooth the skin.

Harm

Due to the fact that yogurt cheese is a dairy product, it is necessary to use it with caution for people who have an individual intolerance to the components of milk.

Otherwise, Greek yogurt can and should be eaten if you want to stay young, healthy and always look perfect!

Video: what is the peculiarity of Greek yogurt?