Natural yogurt: harm and benefit and harm. Salad with apples, figs and natural yogurt

You can count on one hand the products that have skyrocketed in popularity among consumers over the past few years. And one of them is fermented milk product called yogurt, the history of which has continued its victorious march for more than 7 thousand years.

We are unlikely to ever know who made the very first yogurt. But those who want to be pioneers are so wonderful product enough. Numerous legends tell about the ancient Turks, Turks, and ancient Thracians. At one time, Pliny wrote about the drink that the Greeks consumed during long journeys. They fermented kumys, and it was stored much longer compared to ordinary milk.

The benefits and harms of yogurt have been debated for many years and there is no consensus.

Useful qualities of yogurt

In the distant past, yogurt was used for diseases of the stomach and intestines.
The relevance of yogurt is still quite high today, because thanks to this product they normalize metabolic processes in the body, and the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract is restored after taking antibiotics. It is often used as preventive measures and for improving health after injuries and operations.
Yogurt is becoming a panacea for people lacking calcium. Lactic acid promotes better absorption by the body of food intake useful substances, which, in turn, block carcinogens and are able to cleanse the body after poisoning. Unlike milk, cases of allergies to this product unknown.

Harmful qualities of yogurt

The rather long shelf life of dairy products currently available for sale should alert consumers. What is puzzling is the pieces or fruit juice it contains, which are exposed to radioactive radiation during the manufacturing process and can then not spoil for more than a month, or even as many as six.
It becomes clear that the powerful preservative E1442 is involved in the production of yogurt, which can cause dangerous disease pancreas - pancreatic necrosis. So dangerous substance is a molecule derived from corn starch, which in turn is extracted from genetically modified corn.
Also on the label of many “berry” drinks is sodium citrate (E331), which increases the acidity of the stomach and oral cavity.
The presence of all kinds of dyes, flavors, stabilizers is another alarming factor that negatively affects human health.

Distinctive features of yogurt from other dairy products

If we draw parallels between yogurt and ordinary kefir or cottage cheese, we will see the presence in it of a special group of lacto- and bifidobacteria, supposedly necessary for immune system. The statement naturally contradicts medical point view, which says that it is the whole system, which contains more than 500 processes but, nevertheless, takes place.

What should a consumer know when purchasing yogurt?

All yoghurts are divided into those containing active bacteria and those in which microorganisms are destroyed.

It is the latter that are distinguished by a long shelf life obtained by heat treatment. In fact, this is no longer yogurt, but a very harmful and useless semblance of it. Real yoghurts contain active microflora and their shelf life is no more than 6-7 days at a temperature of 7 degrees exclusively in the refrigerator. Exceeding this expiration date indicates the uselessness of yogurt.

By the way, domestic products are healthier than imported ones, since they are both produced and offered for sale in the same areas. They are not designed for long-term transportation, therefore, they exclude any semblance of preservatives.

By adhering to certain rules and knowledge when purchasing yoghurt, you will thereby protect yourself from consuming dangerous product, and will not cause significant harm to your body.

How to make yogurt at home?

Good luck, health and bon appetit!

Yogurt (Turkish yoğurt) - the product that everyone who cares about their health or hopes to lose weight reaches out to. Considered a fermented milk product that is always available in any grocery store, yogurt should only provide health benefits. At least that's what manufacturers and advertising say. So many properties and abilities are attributed to ready-made yoghurts that it may seem that with the help of these products you can not only solve the problem of your figure, but also make slim stomach like the singer Shakira.

Now that yoghurts and curds have flooded the shelves and tirelessly lure buyers with colorful labels with loud slogans about their benefits, the threat to consumer health is quietly increasing.

So, why is store-bought yogurt so dangerous? Do they never do any good? What harm can harmless curds and lactic acid drinks with pieces of fruit cause to health? Which yogurts can you get the most benefits from? Let's find out the opinions of experts and try to sort out the most pressing issues.

What is yogurt?

First, you need to understand what this lactic acid product is. It turns out that yogurt usually means a mixture of cultures of Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Bulgarian bacillus) and Streptococcus thermophilus (thermophilic streptococcus), which contribute to the ripening process.

Live microorganisms that “live” in yogurt are beneficial, not harmful, because they help regulate digestion due to their ability to maintain the required level of acidity in the organs digestive system, and also in the process of protein processing, they release beneficial substances that strengthen the immune system.

Secondly, when trying to evaluate yoghurts, the benefits and harm they bring to the body, it can also be noted that these products, according to experts, contain more vitamins A, B3, B12 than milk. However, most doctors are also of the opinion that the benefits of yogurt for the body are possible only when you consume a fresh, natural product, and not a store-bought product with a long shelf life.

How dangerous are store-bought yoghurts?

Independent experts conducted a study of ready-made purchased yoghurts of the most popular brands (Miracle, Danone, Svalya Organic, BioMax, Frugurt, Valio, Landliebe) and found that almost all the studied products contained beneficial bacteria one hundred times less than the required norm . The reason is due to the fact that during pasteurization in such products they die. harmful microorganisms, and useful. High-temperature treatment simply does not give them the opportunity to survive in such conditions.

But refuse this method manufacturers are hesitant, because they need it to extend the shelf life of their yoghurts. As a result, instead of a lactic acid treat with beneficial properties, the consumer receives canned product With wide range various food additives.

As Svetlana Dimitrieva, Deputy Director of the Research Institute of DP of the Russian Agricultural Academy, notes, natural lactic acid products can fight pathogenic microflora thanks to their beneficial bacteria. The same bacteria in yogurt are beneficial to the body and do not threaten health.

“The problem is,” says the expert, “that a modern manufacturer does not want to take risks when producing “live” yogurt, so he prefers to “boil” the product and extend its life. When we buy yogurt in the hope of getting benefits from it, we get nothing instead.”

The most dangerous threat is high sugar content. Tests showed that in many yoghurt samples the level of sugar in the composition greatly exceeded the norm, while the “sweetest” products were BioMax and Svalya Organic yoghurts. Experts noted that manufacturers indicated on the labels more low level sugar (10 g per 100 g of product), which is a violation of the requirements of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union TR CU 033/2013 - Milk and dairy products.

Manufacturers' tricks when creating labels

If parents buy yogurt for their child, the benefits and harms of this product usually worry them first. However, it is very easy to encounter deception. The buyer may still naively believe in the reliability of the data indicated on the label of purchased yogurt.

In fact, according to new examinations, almost all manufacturers are doing everything possible to hide important information about the ingredients of yoghurts and curds, or serve it in such a way that even the owner good vision won't be able to read it.

Here are some popular techniques that famous brands use:

Small font and color. Specially selected color shades of the label, making it difficult to read the composition. For example, BioMax and Miracle indicate the ingredients in very small white font on a red background. It is quite difficult to read the ingredients indicated in small print on the labels of Frugurt and Danone yoghurts.
Inconvenient location of the label. To make it more difficult for the buyer to find information about the composition of yogurt and evaluate its benefits and harm to the body, manufacturers boldly place it at the very bottom of the cup. This technique is used by Svalya Organic and Valio. The manufacturer obviously hopes that after trying to find a label with outside cup, the buyer will be too lazy to look for it further: he will have to buy and eat yogurt to find out.
Incomplete or incorrect names. If the manufacturer does not want to indicate a harmful food additive or dye, he can veil their names, provide information in abbreviation or in the form of an incomprehensible abbreviation. This is what the German company Landliebe does. In addition, many do not note what type of milk was used in the manufacture of the product (whole, skim, dry).

The benefits of homemade yogurt - truth or myth?

The advantage of homemade yoghurts is, first of all, the absence of flavoring additives, preservatives, starch, GMOs, and “flavoring” ingredients. It is also generally accepted that from a natural product homemade you can get maximum health benefits, because beneficial bacteria are stored in it.

Experts believe that if you compare store-bought ready-made yogurt with homemade one, then, of course, you will get much more benefits from the second one. In addition, you will know the composition. However, the benefits of homemade yogurt will depend on how it is prepared and the conditions in which it is stored.

Common homemade yogurt recipes on the Internet are often simplified. In fact, the cooking technique is more complicated than many assume.

Correct sterile storage conditions, compliance with certain temperatures and knowledge of proportions are important. Not everyone has the opportunity to follow all the principles and create the necessary conditions, which undoubtedly affects the quality of yogurt.

Maybe, the only way out from the situation - a choice in favor of farm products that are manufactured in accordance with all technologies and sold in fresh. Such yoghurts have a very short shelf life, retain beneficial bacteria and are usually absent nutritional supplements. However, here too you can stumble upon a fake that is passed off as a natural product, as well as with unscrupulous “farmers”. It turns out that without professional expertise, it is almost impossible to know whether your favorite yogurt is beneficial or harmful.

Expert research on popular yoghurts

The table shows the most popular ready-made yoghurts and the characteristics obtained as a result of independent examinations:

Name of lactic acid product	Lactic acid bacteria (conformity/inconsistency with the norm)	Sugar percentage	Taste, color and smell
BioMax		14.6% (significant excess of the norm)
"Frugurt"	1*10^5 CFU/1g (inconsistency)	10.1% (exceeding the norm)	The smell and taste are identical to natural ones.
"Miracle"

In Russia, many types of lactic acid products are produced, obtained by fermenting milk and cream. This includes sour cream, kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, and yogurt. The difference between these products lies mainly in the type of lactic acid bacteria and lactic yeast used in their production.

What determines the benefits of lactic acid products?

The benefits of lactic acid products for human body Undoubtedly, this depends on the amount of bioactive bacteria, which should be optimal. Because we're talking about about living microorganisms, it is natural that their number in the same product is constantly changing. After the expiration date, the bacteria die, such a product is, at a minimum, useless.

Types of yogurt:

Yogurts are divided depending on their fat content: they are found as products with low content, and with high (up to 5%).
A separate group of drinking yoghurts is distinguished, differing in liquid consistency.
Yogurts can be natural, consisting exclusively of milk and sourdough(especially useful for child health), and may contain a variety of food additives. These are preservatives, flavors, dyes, fruit and berry additives, vanilla, cocoa and others.

Myths about yogurt:

The term “long-life yogurt” is often heard. It has nothing to do with live yogurt. Preservatives used in the preparation of a product with a long shelf life do not allow live bacteria to reach the concentration necessary to preserve beneficial features. Its benefit in this case is a myth, diligently supported by manufacturers.

Another legend heard in the media is the claim that yogurt is a source of vitamins that can compensate for their deficiency in the body. Indeed, the product contains vitamins, but to compensate for their deficiency in the body, it should be consumed in such huge quantities that not everyone can handle.

The benefits of yogurt

When it comes to benefits, we mean natural yoghurts:

Yogurt helps the body eliminate pathogenic microorganisms.
The bacteria contained in it improve the functioning of the human immune system.
The microorganisms included in its composition are involved in the digestion process (the acid present in it promotes the absorption of food) and normalize the functioning of the stomach.
Helps compensate for the lack of calcium and phosphorus in case of allergy to milk protein.
Normalizes metabolic processes, provides positive influence on the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract.
Eating yogurt is effective in cleansing after poisoning.

Live yogurt can be stored for no more than one week at a temperature not exceeding +7 o C. The refrigerator is quite suitable for these purposes. If the expiration date indicated on the package is more than 7 days, the product contains preservatives, in which case the benefits of yogurt are absent.

Read the product information on the packaging carefully. The use of synthetic substances in the production of yogurt is evidenced by the words: bio-yogurt, fruit yogurt, yogurt product.

Can yogurt be harmful to health?

Yogurt is one of the foods that causes a lot of controversy and controversy. There are scholars who say that natural products causes harm to the body. They are guided by the fact that lactic acid bacteria, entering the body, die under the influence Gastric acid And protective system. And that small amount of bacteria that managed to get through protective barrier, contribute to the occurrence of diarrhea and gases, and increase the number of harmful microbes. This means that it is at least useless to use such a product.

The harm that synthetic yogurts can cause:

Products with a long shelf life contain preservatives, carcinogens, and various additives.
The recipe for fruit yogurt allows no more than 33% additives. When you buy a fruit flavored preservative, you are dealing with lactic acid product, which does not include fruits. The required taste was achieved by adding flavorings, the harm of which is beyond doubt.
Dyes used in production are harmful to health.
The product, to which fruits and berries are added, is treated with radioactive radiation to increase shelf life.
May cause flatulence in the body.
Synthetic products use various thickeners and starch.
Instead of sugar, substitutes are often added to yogurt, such as aspartame (E951), which costs less. The harm of this supplement is that it breaks down in the body, releasing aspartic amino acid.

Products with a long shelf life are subject to heat treatment, which, according to state standards, does not give them the right to be called yogurt, which must include active microflora.

Concentration harmful substances in fruit yogurt is not so critical as to cause significant harm to health. But their presence no longer allows us to consider the product healthy. IN best case scenario it makes it useless.

As a rule, domestically produced products are more useful than imported ones, mainly due to the fact that they do not require long transportation, and preservatives are not involved in their production (or are present, but in much smaller quantities). All this is true when it comes to live yogurt. Concerning soy products, flavored and containing preservatives, their harm is the same regardless of the country of origin. The only question here is the amount of additives.

Video about the benefits and harms of yogurt

And there are more than enough reasons for this: the morning rush, fear of dialing overweight, inability to wake up and “cram” at least something into yourself other than a cup of coffee.

Favorite thing to do is sleep longer in the morning- does not leave time for a person to have a healthy breakfast.
However, breakfast is the most important technique food that should never be missed! Moreover, it is what we eat during this reception that we should think about most.

It is so intended by nature that we all live according to biological clock. The body is hungry in the morning and every cell of the body needs good nutrition. She seems to shout: “Feed me!” And the person instead gives her a cup of coffee or nothing at all.

Scientists have proven that everything a person eats before 8 a.m. absorbs as much as possible. Having a regular breakfast increases your metabolism and, therefore, reduces the risk of weight gain. excess weight. The fuel that enters the body in the morning gives energy for the whole day, improves memory and attention.
Moreover, sociologists have proven that more than 90% of people who have breakfast with a cup of coffee suffer from gastritis.

It must be remembered that the less often you eat, the more often you suffer from an intense feeling of hunger. And at the same time, it can be very difficult to monitor your awakened appetite.
As proven by nutrition and diet experts, overweight Most often, those people who suffer are those who take food twice a day, and not four or five, as they should.

Remember a simple rule: to be cheerful, cheerful and able-bodied all day long, you need to prepare yourself light and, including, nutritious breakfasts. And if there is no appetite in the morning, this does not mean that the body does not need such nutrients like proteins and carbohydrates. It is these two components of our breakfast that are responsible for additional energy and a feeling of fullness.
Many people know folk saying that appetite comes with eating. You just need to overcome your desire to sleep longer in the morning.

Possible consequences of not having breakfast

If a person refuses breakfast or carbohydrates are included in his diet in the morning, then the level of sugar in the blood (insulin) drops below normal. As a result - "carbohydrate" hunger and the need (sometimes even the need) to quickly overcome it (snacking on simple carbohydrates).
Such carbohydrates increase sugar levels above normal. In this case, the pancreas is triggered, which, through its intensive work, tries to reduce it. But the point is that insulin converts excess sugar into fat.
And this spasmodic state is observed in a person throughout the day.
Diabetes mellitus, increased blood pressure, problems with weight are all problems acquired as a result of all of the above.

Possible consequences of a carbohydrate breakfast

Carbohydrate breakfast harms the body no less than its absence. Simple carbohydrates (buns, sandwiches, coffee, oatmeal) sharply increase blood sugar levels (above normal). Insulin produced by the pancreas reduces it below normal, converts excess into fat, and leads to “carbohydrate” hunger.
Then the person again urgently required simple carbohydrates. What will happen next is known.

But only proper breakfast prevents “carbohydrate” hunger, addiction to flour and sweets, keeps blood sugar levels at normal levels, controls appetite throughout the day and helps get rid of excess fat!

Not convincing enough? Then let's look at 6 reasons why you need to find time for morning breakfast.

♦ Reason #1. Energy boost

Your body needs energy in the morning. It's like a steam locomotive that won't be able to run well if they don't put it in required quantity firewood

Breakfast improves performance. Light foods are recommended to be eaten before 9-10 am.

♦ Reason #2. Improved mood

A morning meal helps set yourself up for a good day, and if breakfast is also delicious, it will definitely lift your spirits.

♦ Reason #3. Controlling hunger throughout the day

If you have breakfast in the morning, then throughout the day you will not feel so hungry, which means that there will be no need to eat a large amount of food. And the most important thing is that you won’t crave “junk” food so much.

♦ Reason No. 4. Improved memory and attention

According to studies, people who ate breakfast have significantly higher concentration and memory ability than those who skip it.

♦ Reason #5. Increasing stress resistance

Breakfast saves the body from stress. According to doctors, those who eat breakfast are not afraid of stress. It is recommended to eat porridge, salad and protein food- fish, eggs, meat.

♦ Reason #6. Help with weight loss and weight control

In the mornings there is a slow metabolism. For the body to work “correctly” you need to eat. Thanks to this, you can get rid of hunger during the day and start losing weight.
You can start the gastrointestinal tract and induce appetite with one glass clean water on an empty stomach.. Liquid, drunk on an empty stomach, helps the body remove toxins and activates vital processes.

If you skip breakfast, metabolic processes will gradually slow down, there will be less energy in the body, and there will be an excess of calories eaten. The result is gained kilograms.

If you work in night shift or “went on a spree until the morning”, it is better to have breakfast upon returning home, then go to bed and, upon waking up, continue to follow the system.

Let me remind you once again that you can eat absolutely anything for breakfast, without counting calories and without thinking about how harmful a given product is. But this doesn't mean you always have to have a big breakfast.

Proper breakfast

A proper breakfast should give the body:

1. Nutrient elements.

2. Water.

3 . And, most importantly, do not increase or decrease your blood sugar level!

The best time for breakfast is half an hour after waking up. It has been proven that it is best to have breakfast between 7 and 9 am. Of course, if you need to leave for work earlier, you should have breakfast earlier. But scientists have found that I agree biological rhythms The human body is able to better digest and assimilate food if it is taken for breakfast at such a time.

Train yourself to have breakfast every morning at the same time, then after 2-3 weeks your stomach will remind you of food more clearly than any clock.

If you don’t have an appetite in the morning, buy yourself a bowl decorated with bright flowers - the right dishes help increase your appetite and improve your mood.

2-3 hours after breakfast, especially if it was light, you can have a snack with an apple, banana, nuts (raw and unsalted) or drink a glass of natural yogurt.

So, what products should it consist of? nutritious breakfast? Doctors insist that this list should include products such as:

dairy and fermented milk (cottage cheese or kefir);
egg dishes (boiled or fried eggs);
corn muesli or flakes;
various cereals;
foods rich in carbohydrates (bread or toast).

It is recommended to drink tea with honey. And tea with honey and lemon will protect you from a variety of viral diseases, because it is called a health drink.
Do not drink coffee on an empty stomach - this can cause gastritis. If you can’t imagine starting your day without a sip of coffee, then be sure to add milk to it.

There is a misconception that cereals contain a lot of calories. In this case, you need to remember that porridge serves as a huge source of energy and nutrients, which is enough for the whole day. Eat calmly and don't be afraid to add extra pounds to your figure.
Of course, there are exceptions to any rule. In our case it is instant porridge. They can easily ruin your figure because they contain large amounts of sugars, which are very harmful to our body.
Corn muesli and flakes are rich in nutrients and carbohydrates, don't be afraid to add milk to them. Both tasty and healthy!

From this positive note, we need to move on to the list of products, the intake of which in the morning has a very strong impact on our health. Whatever your breakfast is - dense and satisfying, or light - it is important to know that not all foods can be safely eaten in the morning.

What and why can’t you eat on an empty stomach?

Let's look at the main foods that are unhealthy for our body, which are best not consumed on an empty stomach.

So, this list will seem painfully familiar and favorite foods to many. After all, many people eat them for breakfast.

You can't have breakfast

fatty, spicy and salty foods(the digestive organs suffer from eating such food);
candy and confectionery products. Make it a rule not to eat sweets on an empty stomach. This will save you from serious violations metabolism, including diabetes mellitus. The whole point is that when high dose sugar enters the stomach, the pancreas cannot cope with such a load and works to wear out. Large amounts of insulin quickly normalize blood sugar levels, after which the person feels weak and apathetic. Long-term indulgence in sweets on an empty stomach disables the functioning of the pancreas, which affects the performance of its basic functions, in particular the production of an adequate amount of insulin.;
meat(requires a large amount of energy to absorb);
alcohol(awakens appetite, and we eat more than necessary);
coffee— lovers of morning coffee need to know that the caffeine contained in the drink, when it enters the stomach, leads to irritation of the mucous membrane, as a result of which the secretion of gastric juice increases. If you consume nothing else besides coffee, then acid ( gastric juice) begins to corrode the tissues of the stomach, thereby provoking the development of gastritis. In addition, coffee contains bitterness, which has choleretic properties, thereby provoking the useless release of bile from the gallbladder;
canned and smoked meats It’s better not to consume it at all, and especially not for breakfast;
contain many flavorings and preservatives chips, fast foods, instant cereals and soups:
flour products(bakery)— the yeast it contains promotes the production of gases in the stomach, which leads to bloating and, as a result, unpleasant sensations.
If you can't do without bakery products, then try to use non-yeast dough.

Products that did not pass heat treatment, for example, fresh fruits, peppers, garlic, cause stomach diseases. Experts say that You should not eat oranges, pears, persimmons, bananas, tomatoes on an empty stomach.

oranges are included in this list for the reason that these fruits can provoke the development of allergies and gastritis (therefore, it is recommended before drinking a glass orange juice, have breakfast with oatmeal);
pear, in its composition, is simply a storehouse of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, but due to high content in it tannins, coarse fiber And fruit acids, it is not recommended to eat a pear on an empty stomach, but also on full stomach Same. It is more correct to eat a pear at least half an hour after eating, and preferably an hour later. You should remember that after you have eaten a pear, you should not drink raw water, cold drinks, drink heavy fatty foods, meat.
and tomatoes contain large amounts of pectin and tannic acid, which cause the formation of stomach stones;
bananas can cause development cardiovascular diseases because of great content they contain magnesium, which can disrupt the calcium-magnesium balance in the body;

Besides Don’t start your day with raw vegetables - cucumbers, cabbage, paprika, because acids contained in raw vegetables, can cause irritation of the gastric mucosa. This is fraught with ulcers and gastritis. Therefore, they should not be consumed on an empty stomach, in particular, for people with problematic digestion.

Garlic contains allicin, which can irritate the walls of our stomach and intestines. Which can result in gastrospasms.

By the way, eating yogurt for breakfast has become almost a tradition. But in fact, exactly Yogurt eaten on an empty stomach is useless.
The main value of fermented milk products lies in beneficial microflora- lactic acid bacteria. If you take these products on an empty stomach, then the bacteria enter the aggressive acidic environment and die in the stomach, not reaching the intestines.
It turns out that healthy yogurt cultures will "eat" gastric juice - when consumed on an empty stomach, yogurt loses a significant part of its beneficial qualities.
It is recommended to consume it two hours after meals or before bedtime. Only in these cases does it really assist in the process of digestion.

After 7-8 hours of sleep, the body requires fluid, since during this time a lot of moisture has evaporated. Drink in morning time it is possible and even necessary, since a glass of water allows you to “warm up” the gastrointestinal tract before eating breakfast. However, you should not drink drinks that are too cold since in this case you risk getting irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.
If you have chronic diseases digestive tract, then cold drinks can provoke exacerbations. In addition, cold drinks lead to constriction of gastric vessels and worsening local circulation, which will worsen the process of digesting food.

A cold drink is drunk 1.5 - 2 hours after a meal. But even if it is too hot, it is preferable to drink water at room temperature or slightly cool.
Also, do not drink the liquid in one gulp. Spread your water intake over several minutes, taking small sips.

Perfect breakfast

The British eat a whole multi-course meal for breakfast. The French make do with coffee with milk and a croissant. Russians traditionally had bread and porridge for breakfast. Is there really a perfect breakfast?

A few years ago, US scientists from the University of Connecticut conducted an interesting study of breakfasts for men. Volunteers were given standard scrambled eggs and toast on one day, and a bagel, yogurt and low-fat cheese on another. The calories in breakfast were equal.

Delicious breakfasts for the whole week

Monday: cereal cookies or bread, low-calorie yogurt, any fruit, a cup of tea (coffee)
Tuesday: whole grain toast with cheese low-fat varieties, any fruit, a cup of tea (coffee)
Wednesday: cereal or muesli with drinking yoghurt, any fruit
Thursday: soft-boiled egg, 100-150g buckwheat porridge, grain bread, a glass of 1% kefir
Friday: cottage cheese, banana, apple and orange salad dressed with a spoonful of honey, a cup of tea (coffee)
Saturday: rice or millet porridge with milk and pumpkin, a cup of tea (coffee)
Sunday: one egg omelette, oatmeal, cereal, a glass of juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
Based on materials from www.calorizator.ru, eat-healthy.ru,

Since childhood, our parents have constantly repeated that if you want to grow up big and healthy, you need to eat well. So why, as adults, do we forget about proper and rational nutrition?

Remember that health cannot be bought with money and cannot be restored either. Good food- the key to good health. And an important component of it is a proper breakfast.

Is yogurt good for the human body? What is this product? You will find answers to these and other questions in the article. Today, yoghurts are extremely popular. This is a fermented milk product, a close relative of kefir.

One person in Europe consumes on average from 10 to 40 kg of yogurt per year, in our country this value reaches hardly 2 kg, which is also quite a lot. Yoghurts are popular due to good advertising, which says that this product can significantly improve human health. Let us find out further whether yogurt is really good for humans.

Yogurt

So is yogurt good for humans? First of all, it is necessary to take into account that only homemade yogurt made from milk and a special starter culture that contains two or more live active bacteria has a beneficial effect on the body. Their concentration must be at least 10 million cells - only in this case the product will be

These bacteria have a very short lifespan, so natural yogurt can last no more than a week at 7 °C. So think about it: what is the composition of store-bought yogurt if its shelf life reaches 30 days or even more?

The benefits of yogurt

Many people ask, “Is yogurt good for you?” It is known that natural yogurt differs from kefir only in the presence of fruit and sugar in it. Its benefits are as follows:

It is rich in mineral components and vitamins, which make our bones strong and contribute to their full development, they warn pernicious influence infections and have a general strengthening effect.
Strengthens the activity of the immune system. If you eat 300 g of yogurt every day, which contains active microflora, this will significantly strengthen the immune system and will prevent viral and colds. After a couple of months of systematically taking the product we are considering, you will find that you begin to get sick less.
Ensures gastrointestinal health. Daily consumption of yogurt has a positive effect on the condition of the stomach and intestines. It helps with metabolic disorders and diarrhea. Some types of yogurt preserve microflora and protect the gastrointestinal tract when taking antibiotics, which destroy beneficial bacteria in it and contribute to the emergence of new infections in the body. Moreover, yogurt contains calcium and lactobacilli. The first of them not only preserves the elasticity and integrity of our bones, but also supports the activity of the intestines and even prevents the activity of bacteria that provoke the appearance of oncological diseases of this organ. Lactobacilli provide beneficial intestinal microflora.
Helps in the treatment of thrush (vaginal candidiasis). Taking natural yogurt reduces the number of bacteria that contribute to the appearance of plaque on the mucous membrane.
Useful for people who are lactose intolerant. The lactic acid bacteria in yogurt perform the functions of digesting lactose. That is why it can be eaten by people whose bodies have too few enzymes to fully process milk.
Removes unnecessary cholesterol from the body. If you eat 100 g of yogurt a day, you can get rid of the harmful and increase the number good cholesterol in blood. Thereby general state your body will improve.
Destroys pathogenic microorganisms. This is caused by the product's ability to synthesize lactate.

What is contained in 100 g of yogurt?

Now you know the answer to the question: “Is drinking yogurt healthy?” Yes, very useful. It should be noted that only 100 g of this product contains 25% daily norm calcium and 15% phosphorus. It contains easily digestible protein, which allergic reactions doesn't call.

For whom is it effective?

Next we will talk about the projects “Are all yoghurts healthy?”, and now we will find out for whom the product we are considering is effective. It is known that healing qualities yogurt are similar to the benefits of kefir. This product is indicated for:

those suffering from dysbacteriosis;
old people;
improving the condition of the heart and blood vessels;
treatment and prevention of enteritis and colitis;
prevention of osteoporosis;
strengthening the central nervous system, preventing depression and improving mood (thanks to phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B5, iron);
prevention and treatment of diseases characterized by decreased activity of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland;
activation of brain function;
weight normalization;
balancing hormonal levels women;
cleansing the body after poisoning and blocking carcinogens.

Harm of yogurt. Preservatives

The answer to the question "Useful whether drinking yoghurts "?" obvious. Yes, they are useful. Can they harm the human body? All the previously listed qualities apply only to natural yogurt. However, today stores sell yoghurts with a shelf life of about a month (as we discussed earlier), which means that such a product, at best, will be useless, and at worst, harmful.

Almost all yoghurts contain the preservative E1442. It is needed in order to increase the shelf life of the product. At the same time, this substance eliminates all useful qualities components of yogurt, which could truly have an effect on the body positive influence. Many practicing doctors claim that E1442 (hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate) provokes the development of pancreatic necrosis.

E1442 is a large molecule found in corn starch, which is part of genetically modified corn and gradually destroys the pancreas, reduces its activity and contributes to the appearance of serious illnesses.

Harmful effects of sugar in yogurt

Homemade yogurt contains only 6 g of sugar per 150 g of product, while store-bought yogurt contains 5-6 times more. Yoghurt manufacturers add sugar to this large quantities in order to increase the popularity of their products and make them more attractive than kefir, sourdough or cottage cheese.

Eventually delicious product people eat in huge quantities, and this is fraught with obesity, damage to the teeth and oral cavity, and edema. Such products are dangerous especially for diabetics. Sugar also promotes calcium leaching.

It should also be noted that different types yogurts differ from each other not by the content of different fruits and juices, but by flavorings that are harmful to human health. In many commercial yogurts you can find sodium citrate (E331), which increases stomach acidity.

Useful ingredients

Useful components in yoghurts they are destroyed very quickly. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which are necessary for our body, die after a couple of days of storing yogurt. And the fact that this product is stored in stores for a month or more, and people buy it far from the first day after the date of creation, suggests that they can only “enjoy” flavorings and stabilizers.

Fruit and yogurt

Fruits cannot exist together with lactic acid bacteria. Then what are these components contained in yogurt? Pieces of peach, strawberry, kiwi and other fruits are added to it, frozen or canned.

Very often, enriched citric acid or sugar and flavored extracts that remain after creating marmalade or jelly. Such pieces are quite sterilized in an unusual way, exposing them to radiation.

Carcinogens

Yogurt forms dangerous carcinogens in the body. Its attractive taste is known to be liked by everyone. For the fact that it is present in store-bought yoghurts, we must “thank” the manufacturers. After all, they are the ones who add aspartame or the flavor enhancer E-951 to it. This substance, once in the body, begins to release formaldehyde, formic acid and other harmful carcinogens.

Fermentation

Yogurt can also ferment. When a product expires, yeast appears in it, molds, putrefactive bacteria. Microbes begin to multiply, which promotes the release carbon dioxide. As a result, the packaging swells.

The human immune system destroys most of these bacteria. The same microorganisms that were able to overcome the attack of the immune system provoke the appearance of diarrhea and gas. It is these signs that indicate the entry of toxins and harmful microbes into the body.

When should you not drink natural yogurt?

flatulence (increases the creation of gases);
gastritis associated with high acidity stomach;
weak kidneys (may induce renal failure);
diarrhea (has a laxative effect);
stomach ulcers and duodenum;
babies under 1 year of age (irritates the stomach of a fragile body).

As you can see, the benefits and harms of yogurt are quite controversial issue. It is safe to say that there is an alternative replacement for this product that has a much better effect on the body, for example, kefir.

Store-bought yogurts are just a marketing ploy and deception on the part of manufacturers who want to make money at the lowest cost. They don't care about your health! If you still want to treat yourself to yogurt, make it yourself. After all, this way you will know that there are no harmful chemical additives in its composition.

Chemical composition and nutritional value

It is known to be 68 kcal. It contains:

3.2 g fat;
5 g proteins;
86.3 g of water;
3.5 g carbohydrates;
0.7 g ash;
1.3 g organic acids.

This product also contains the following vitamins:

0.2 mg riboflavin (vitamin B2);
22 mcg vitamin A (RE);
0.31 mg of vitamin B5;
0.05 mg vitamin B6;
0.02 mg retinol;
1.4 mg of vitamin PP;
0.6 mg vitamin C;
40 mg vitamin B4;
0.04 mg vitamin B1;
0.2 mg niacin;
0.43 mcg vitamin B12;
0.01 mg beta-carotene.

It also contains the following macroelements:

magnesium - 15 mg;
potassium - 147 mg;
phosphorus - 96 mg;
calcium - 122 mg;
chlorine - 100 mg;
sodium - 52 mg;
sulfur - 27 mg.

Yogurt also contains the following microelements:

10 mcg copper;
0.1 mg iron;
5 mcg molybdenum;
2 mcg selenium;
9 mcg iodine;
0.4 mg zinc;
1 mcg cobalt;
2 mcg chromium;
20 mcg fluoride;
0.006 mg manganese.

Projects

It is known that in Russian schools since 1999 the program “Talk about proper nutrition". This educational unique project was developed at the Institute age physiology Academy of Education of the Russian Federation on the initiative and with the support of Nestlé Russia.

Today, 48 regions of the Russian Federation and more than 850 thousand schoolchildren and preschoolers participate in the project every year. They willingly conduct master classes and classes where they talk about healthy eating, are participants various competitions. It is known that every research“Are all yoghurts healthy?”, carried out as part of this program, is excellent. Children use testing methods:

Practical - observation, questioning, experiment.
Theoretical - comparative analysis data.

In the process of exploration, kids discover many interesting facts about yogurt. So, many of them already know that the most important condition ripening is the participation of living microorganisms from the family of lactobacilli (Streptococcus thermophilus and Bacillus bulgaricus).

Few of you know whether Activia yogurt is healthy. But the kids found out that Activia is a low-calorie product and the benefits from it are the same as from kefir. But since it contains different flavorings, they believe that it is better to use kefir, which can be combined with berries or dried fruits.

Surely you don’t know the answer to the question “Is Miracle yogurt healthy?” And the kids conducted research and determined what this product contains great amount stabilizers.

How to choose the healthiest yogurt?

If you want to buy yogurt in a store, give preference to the product that is made from milk fermented with lactic acid bacteria. It should also be free of gelatin and chemical additives.

Choose yogurt that either has no sugar or contains very little sugar. Always pay attention to the expiration date.