Health Benefits
Benefits of Yogurt
Support your bones
Did you know you’re probably not sitting on the same bones you were a few years ago? Our skeleton is constantly being broken down and built up again and we need a regular supply of calcium and vitamin D to maintain the density of our bones.
Childhood and adolescence are times of rapid growth. Around half the strength of the adult skeleton is laid down during adolescence and a pot of fruit yogurt every day can give them a regular calcium supply.
As our bones are constantly being renewed, all through our adult life we need to continue to support them. We can do this by taking exercise, not smoking and ensuring we have a daily intake of calcium. In fact, it’s recommended to eat three portions of dairy food – yogurt, milk and cheese - every day.
From our mid fifties however, the density and strength of our bones starts to reduce (it’s just part of the natural ageing process), but in some people the structure of the skeleton becomes exceptionally fragile. Here the bones become porous and brittle, making them more likely to break easily. This condition is known as ‘osteoporosis’. Also, women will start to lose calcium as a result of lower oestrogen levels during menopause, thereby increasing the risk of osteoporosis. A delicious daily habit of a pot of your favourite yogurt can help provide some of this essential calcium.
Lactose Intolerance
Some people find they are sensitive to lactose and may feel bloated or feel some abdominal discomfort after drinking milk. The live and active ferments contained in yogurt facilitate the digestion of lactose, the sugar naturally found in milk. That means these yogurt ferments could allow those people to tolerate milk and other foods that contains lactose better.
Healthy bodies
Nourishing a child from an early age provides the building blocks for a strong and healthy body in adulthood. Every cell is made up of protein and essential nutrients, every bone is made up of calcium, proteins, and other minerals, and what we feed our children has an impact on their growth, development and long term health.
As children grow, and their bones and muscles continue to develop, the demand for these nutrients is increased. Yogurt is a good source of both protein and calcium.
And the protein in yogurt has a good “biological value”, which simply means it is easily assimilated by the body. This protein has excellent proportions of 9 amino acids which help support the proper daily maintenance of our muscles and vital organs. These 9 amino acids are said to be “essential” amino acids because our bodies can’t manufacture them, and we need to find them in foods we eat.
Positive snacking
Its official – healthy snacking is good for you! Imagine that mid-afternoon slump when we feel we just can’t face another meeting, or the kids have just got home from school and are starving. How much more energised do we feel when we get up, move around, and eat a satisfying snack? Moving our bodies and getting the blood sugar up with a healthy snack can help to invigorate and refresh. A yogurt can provide energy, helping set us up for the challenges ahead.
Taste not waste
Food is for enjoyment – whether watching your weight, looking after your bones or looking for something delicious to eat, there will be a yogurt that does the trick for you. Every mouthful is a tasty experience, with a wide variety of flavours and textures. The good nutritional offerings of protein, vitamins and minerals as well as active cultures are the icing on the cake.