Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.
Yogurt has been consumed in various ways and valued for its texture and flavor for a long time. However, did you know that it is not only amazing because of its taste? It doubles as a good source of probiotics. Probiotics are bacteria that support gut health by aiding digestion in addition to their other functions.
With the increase in digestive issues around the globe, adding yogurt to your diet can be a simple yet effective way to improve your overall gut health.
These are five ways yogurt benefits your gut.
1. Supports And Strengthens Good Gut Bacteria
Yogurt improves gut health by supplying probiotics like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which support the balance of gut flora. These good bacteria help with digestion, nutritional absorption, and gut flora restoration after disruptions caused by other factors like poor diet or taking antibiotics.
Being an excellent source of beneficial bacteria, unsweetened yogurt remains the best choice for a healthy gut.
2. Aids Digestion And Absorption
Yogurt has been proven to make digestion easier, thanks to the presence of probiotics and their ability to break down some kinds of food.
An example is lactose, the natural sugar in milk. Strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis produce enzymes that assist in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates and proteins like the ones found in lactose. This is why yogurt is often easier to take for lactose-intolerant people.
Also, ingesting yogurt can improve nutrient absorption. A healthy gut lining allows better absorption of essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins.
3. Promotes Gut Barrier Function and Reduces Inflammation.
Do you know that taking unsweetened yogurt is good for the walls of your intestine? The probiotics contained in it reinforce the gut lining at tight junctions, helping to ensure that only useful substances make it across the barrier.
Yogurt’s bioactive chemicals and important nutrients also help to maintain the structural integrity of the intestinal walls.
The beneficial bacteria also create short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, which reduce inflammation and boost immune function.
Furthermore, yogurt reduces cytokines that favor inflammation and contains calcium, vitamin D, and proteins that not only promote gut health but also provide the body with much-needed nutrients. This also makes it an effective anti-inflammatory diet.
4. Helps Regulate Bowel Movements
Having a healthy gut ensures easy bowel movements which prevents digestive issues like constipation and diarrhoea. This means that you can fix some gut abnormalities by adding unsweetened yogurt to your diet.
The beneficial bacteria in yogurt help prevent constipation by breaking down and increasing the movement of food molecules in the intestines. This leads to the easy egestion of stool, which stops constipation.
Also, countering the presence of dangerous bacteria and balancing water levels in the intestines can reduce diarrhea. Probiotics can help the gut in this aspect too.
5. Improves Mood Through The Gut-Brain Connection
This connection between your brain and gut implies that the latter influences the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which is important for your mood. Probably the reason for the popular saying, “a hungry person is an angry person.”
While it is not fully confirmed, research has suggested that probiotics in yogurt may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by improving gut health. The optimal release of serotonin plays a major role in this aspect.
This means that a healthy gut can lead to better mental clarity and mood stability and positively influence stress levels. Therefore, one can make the connection between yogurt and better emotional well-being.
Conclusion
Yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics that favor our digestive tract, leading to improved gut health. By making it a regular part of your diet, you can maintain a healthy gut, which plays an important role in digestion and even mental well-being.
However, make sure to avoid the ones with sweeteners and additives. Unsweetened yogurt works best.
