It’s getting harder to find more traditional dairy foods, such as cottage cheese and sour cream, amid the sea of yogurt options.

If you want to know which specific active cultures your yogurt contains, look to the label again. It’s getting harder to find more traditional dairy foods, such as cottage cheese and sour cream, amid the sea of yogurt options. Yogurt provides almost every nutrient that your body needs. Yogurt is high in protein, which is very filling, and may improve your diet overall. ''The combination of calcium and vitamin D has a clear skeletal benefit, provided the dose of vitamin D is sufficiently high,'' she adds. Protein is helpful for appetite and weight control. H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can cause infection in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine.

Hu, F.B., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, October 2007; vol 86: pp 929-937. Yogurt is a popular dairy product that’s made by the bacterial fermentation of milk. But more may be better. When buying yogurt, your first decision is whether you want regular-fat, low-fat, or fat-free. So while having that small cup of yogurt, you are … These minerals are essential for several biological processes, such as regulating blood pressure, metabolism and bone health (2, 5, 6, 7). ''We observed a 50% reduction in the risk of developing high blood pressure among people eating 2-3 servings of low-fat dairy a day (or more), compared with those without any intake,'' Alvaro Alonso, MD, PhD, a researcher in the department of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, said in an email interview. Yogurt has several properties that may help with weight management. A recent Taiwanese study looked at the effects of yogurt containing lactobacillus and bifidobacterium on 138 people with persistent H. pylori infections. Drewnowski, A., Journal of the American Dietetic Association, April 2006; vol 106, Issue 4: pp 550-557. Both of these aspects help with weight management. This process produces lactic acid, a substance that causes milk proteins to curdle, giving yogurt its unique flavor and texture. Greek yogurt is a popular addition to a healthful breakfast and other meals. But it only makes sense that a food with as many health benefits as yogurt be given prime real estate in the supermarket. Furthermore, dairy products like yogurt have been shown to help reduce high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body lacks lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose, which is the sugar found in milk. Jeri W. Most brands will have a graphic that says "live and active cultures.". Some people can't tolerate dairy or choose not to eat it for other reasons. Hickson, M., British Medical Journal, July 2007. You should also look for yogurts that contain live and active cultures to ensure you get your fix of health-promoting probiotics. Therefore, those with lactose intolerance may need to avoid yogurt. However, research shows that consuming at least three servings of dairy foods, such as yogurt, on a daily basis may help preserve bone mass and strength (49, 50). Milk products contain casein and whey, which are proteins that some people are allergic to. Due to the presence of active bacterial strains in y… It also helps in promoting weight loss, boosting metabolism, increasing immunity, preventing osteoporosis, and fighting anemia, and vaginal infections. Some yogurts contain … The benefits are thought to be due to: In another recent study, the type of diarrhea that some people get after taking antibiotics was found to be reduced when the study participants drank a drink containing three particular probiotics (L. casei, L. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus). Yogurt, especially the Greek variety, is very high in protein. Plain, unsweetened varieties are best, since they contain minimal ingredients without any added sugar. In a small study, seven diabetic women with chronic Candidal vaginitis consumed 6 ounces of frozen aspartame-sweetened yogurt per day (with or without active cultures). Astrup, A., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2007; vol 85: pp 678-687. Yogurt’s fullness-promoting effects are even more prominent if you eat Greek yogurt, which is a very thick variety that has been strained. Add chopped strawberries (1/4 cup) and 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract to 6 ounces of plain yogurt to make Strawberries and Cream Yogurt. If you are sensitive to aftertastes, you may want to avoid light yogurts. For Activia by Dannon, for example, L.Bulgaricus, S.Thermophilus, and bifidobacterium are listed. When buying yogurt, your first decision is whether you want regular-fat, low-fat, or fat-free. After only three weeks, they reported improvements in bloating and stool frequency — effects seen after six weeks, as well (21). In these cases, milk triggers a reaction that can range from hives and swelling to life-threatening anaphylaxis.