Nourish. Energize. Yogurtize.

 We all modify what we eat and drink, depending on the season. During the winter, your body requires warmth as well as meals that boost your immune system. During the summer, you need foods that protect you from the hot and humid weather, as well as liquids that keep you cool. Summer is also related to drowsiness and dehydration. You may do this by including some refreshing drinks and foods in your diet to keep you active and cool at all times.

I feel yogurt is the perfect match for unveiling the hot weather! It has always been my comfort food in any season and I am definitely in love with how it tastes! Since yogurt excites me, I have always been curious to know about its intriguing knowledge and share them with you. Before jumping onto this, let's discuss about yogurt!

- It is a dairy product that is created through the fermentation of milk by the addition of bacteria Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus  thermophilus. Also known as 'starter cultures.'  

These names sound weird, don't they? Yes, they do! but these bacteria play an important role in yogurt production. Ever imagined how?

Let's have a look at it!

- It consumes lactose while heating milk and converts it into lactic acid. This fermentation process lowers the pH of the milk, resulting in the characteristic tangy taste of yogurt.

- The production of lactic acid leads to the coagulation of the milk solids which helps in thickening the yogurt.

- It inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria present in the milk.

- Probiotic potential: Bacteria strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are considered probiotics. They are live microorganisms, when consumed in adequate amounts, can support gut health and digestion.

I have always considered yogurt an important part of my life, majorly because it offers a bunch of nutritional benefits, which has uplifted me to maintain a healthy lifestyle! and who doesn't love eating proteins? 

Yogurt is the ultimate 'powerhouse of nutrition.' 

It is often praised for its rich nutrient content and potentially positive effects on overall health. Here are some reasons why yogurt is often regarded as a beneficial food:

Calcium: It stands out to be a mineral vital for healthy bones and teeth.

Consuming calcium-rich foods can help maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Protein: Yogurt is a good source of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth, and helps in weight management.

Vitamins and Minerals: It contains vitamin B12, riboflavin, phosphorus, and potassium, which play an important role in energy production, and metabolism.

Digestive Health: It helps in alleviating some digestive issues, such as bloating and constipation. These benefits include enhanced immune function and reduced risk of certain chronic diseases (such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes).

Among all the fermented milk foods, yogurt stands out because of its scientific history. It is believed that yogurt is an ancient food and that, it was discovered accidentally. Many Bulgarians say that it was discovered 5,000 years ago when nomads used to travel and carry their milk in animal skin, creating an environment for the bacteria to grow, curdle the milk, and cause fermentation, producing a sour and creamy mixture. They are accustomed to using yogurt in everything. It is also said that it was probably invented by Neolithic people in Central Asia and Mesopotamia around 5000 BC when the first milk-producing animals were domesticated. It was a Bulgarian scientist, Dr. Stamen Grigorov who took the yogurt in a traditional clay pot, rukatka, and broke down the composition of yogurt. He had identified the essential bacteria present in the yogurt and concluded that these bacteria are healthy when consumed in proper quantities.

The Turks selling yogurt.

As a result, the Turks started to consume yogurt and recorded its use to treat a variety of illnesses. the ancient Turks started using yogurt as a rubbing agent on the skin to lower the discomfort from sunburn. However, it took thousand years to actually determine the role of bacteria and its uses. And later, many Americans started to consume it on a daily basis as a breakfast option, and this is how yogurt became a universal product.

And now, it is eaten mostly in all parts of the world. But the big question is, how do you predict a healthy and an unhealthy yogurt? Does it actually improve the health of healthy individuals?

Share your views in the comment below and stay tuned for more updates.