Health and Nutrition

Yogurt - Does it Help?


Before you get to the subject of the helpful things in yogurt, some facts- Yogurt is a very ancient food, and in some respects a superfood, its only in the last decade that it has fancied the American consumer. If you are not familiar with terms like "Intestinal flora" or Lactic bacilli, Lactic cultures, Acidophilu, probiotic and pre-biotic - Think Yogurt (or Yoghurt)!!

White, creamy, cooling, and a bit acid in taste, yogurt is known for its benefits for the human body and immune system. Yogurt has been discovered by accident back in ancient times and the characteristics that distinguish it among many other dairy products are two microorganisms that break down lactose, known as Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. These two "friendly" enzymes that belong to the category of lactic acid bacteria are included in yogurt and have a beneficiary effect to human intestines.
It is widely known that doctors support the consumption of yogurt when someone receives any type of antibiotic treatment. Since antibiotics destroy the physical balance of the human intestines and also some types of foods that contain the candida type of enzymes, have negative effects, such as swelling or feeling gassed, the human organism needs to restore its natural balance through foods like yogurt. Specifically, yogurt helps the intestine reestablish its natural balance as it provides it with the necessary microorganisms for its functions.
In order to increase your chances of eating a cup of yogurt that is good for your health, you have to ensure that its appearance is white, smooth and bright, and does not appear to have any type of pores. Moreover it has to have an acescent taste and a characteristic pleasant aroma. Additionally, dieticians advise that one should avoid eating yogurt that has added color substances, gelatin, sugar or preservatives. Always check the expiration date before buying a yogurt cup and in case its taste feels more acid than usual, or you can observe any kind of discoloration or other denaturizing, dispose it immediately. The good thing about a yogurt that has gone bad is that it one can easily see the changes on its surface and these symptoms can be spotted without the use of any scientific testing tools.
Experts' advice is to eat yogurt without adding sugar or any other type of chemical substances or perform complicated recipes before consuming it. Its natural benefits can only reach your organs if they are consumed without performing any alterations. Enjoy yogurt with fruits or cereals and add some extra cinnamon; it is a delicious and healthy treat.
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Food, Fitness, and Gemstones


MORE RESOURCES:

Even for the Overweight, Exercise Helps the Heart (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Getting and staying physically fit might help fend off heart disease even if you've put on a few pounds, new research suggests.
Behavior programs may cut child obesity risk (Reuters)
Reuters - Programs that teach parenting skills early on may help prevent obesity in poor U.S. kids, a study published Monday suggests.
Study: Family Intervention, Parent Education Reduce Childhood Obesity (ContributorNetwork)
ContributorNetwork - A study published in the February issue of Pediatrics shows family intervention aimed at improving parenting skills reduced behavior problems in kids and obesity and associated health problems. One-third of Americans, including children ages 2 to 17, are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics. Here are details about parent-child interventions.
Orexigen, FDA agree on trial design for obesity drug (Reuters)
Reuters - Orexigen Therapeutics Inc said it reached an agreement with U.S. health regulators on the design of a heart-safety trial required for the approval of its experimental obesity drug.
Prosecutors: Ind. woman left decomposing in chair (AP)
AP - A southeastern Indiana woman has been charged after prosecutors say she left her morbidly obese sister alive and decomposing in a chair for three weeks.
Obesity Could Be Infectious (LiveScience.com)
LiveScience.com - We've heard obesity can be "spread" between friends when we copy each other's eating habits, but a new study in mice suggests obesity could actually be infectious.
Childhood Obesity May Cause Future Heart Disease Epidemic (ContributorNetwork)
ContributorNetwork - "A coming epidemic" is how pediatric cardiologists are describing the impending problems from high rates of juvenile obesity, reports The Missourian. Here are details for parents about overweight kids, heart disease and other concomitant health issues.
FDA panel to discuss Arena obesity drug in 2nd quarter (Reuters)
Reuters - An FDA advisory committee will meet in the second quarter to discuss Arena Pharmaceutical Inc's experimental obesity drug following the company's recent resubmission of an application seeking its approval, Arena said on Wednesday.
Mommy Bloggers' Flawed Take on Anti-Obesity Ads (ContributorNetwork)
ContributorNetwork - COMMENTARY | According to HLN, the newest and most vocal critics of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's anti-obesity ad campaign are a group known as "mommy bloggers." These angry mothers feel the controversial ads, which depict obese children as unhappy and suffering from medical maladies, do more harm than good by shaming children instead of encouraging them. Critics argue that shaming tactics only lead to greater tendencies to overeat and can lead to higher numbers of eating disorders.
When Mom-to-Be's Overweight and Smokes, Risk for Birth Defects Rises (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Jan. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Women who are both overweight and smoke during pregnancy could damage their baby's developing heart, a new study warns.
Weight loss may prevent leaky bladder in diabetes (Reuters)
Reuters - Overweight women with diabetes may be able to cut their risk of urine leakage if they shed some pounds, a new study suggests.
"Biggest Loser" host, dog Winky battle pet obesity (Reuters)
Reuters - Alison Sweeney, host of the NBC network's weight loss TV series "The Biggest Loser," has worked with the show's contestants since 2007, supporting them as they drop pounds and learn to lead a healthier way of life.
Calories count, but source doesn't matter: study (Reuters)
Reuters - People trying to lose weight may swear by specific diet plans calling for strict proportions of fat, carbs and protein, but where the calories come from may not matter as much as simply cutting back on them, according to a study.
Long Shifts May Raise Some Nurses' Odds for Obesity (HealthDay)
HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Jan. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Nurses who work long hours and have less physically demanding jobs are much more likely to be obese than other nurses, according to a new study.
Device makers urge coverage of weight-loss surgery (Reuters)
Reuters - Device manufacturers are pushing the government and health insurers to cover weight-loss surgery, an effort that could give millions more obese Americans access to the treatments.
Parents Are Key in Helping Obese Kids Lose Weight, AHA Says (ContributorNetwork)
ContributorNetwork - The key to combating juvenile obesity lies with parents, the American Heart Association says. The AHA released a scientific statement in its most recent issue of "Circulation" journal. Here are tips for parents to curb weight problems in kids, based on that report.
Hip Fracture Patients Often Have Other Health Problems (HealthDay)
HealthDay - MONDAY, Jan. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Weight loss and malnutrition are among the medical conditions that increase treatment costs and the length of hospital stays for older adults with hip fractures, a new study finds.
Parents May Hold Key to Treating Kids' Obesity (HealthDay)
HealthDay - MONDAY, Jan. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Parents and caregivers should be involved in treatment programs for obese children and should lead by example, praise children's progress and use setbacks as learning opportunities, experts say.
Overweight linked to acne in teen girls (Reuters)
Reuters - Overweight girls in their late teens were twice as likely as their normal-weight peers to report having a lot of acne in a large new survey of Norwegian teenagers that did not find the same link in boys.
Mexico enacts rules against 'miracle cure' ads (AP)
AP - Mexico enacted tough new rules Thursday to ban advertising of "miracle cures" for weight loss, sagging body parts and more serious illnesses like prostate ailments, chronic fatigue and even cancer.
Yogurt Cultured milk Yoghurt prebiotics
home |       site map |      Disclaimer |       Privacy Policy
© 2006