15 Proven Health Benefits of Yogurt on Your Body

Yogurt is loaded with protein, calcium, and active good bacteria that helps in keeping your digestive tract healthy, that’s why it is considered as a superfood. The health benefits of yogurt include preventing hypertension, aiding digestion, regulating cholesterol levels, prevents yeast infections, strengthening the immune system, and lowering the risk of diabetes and colorectal cancer. Also, it helps strengthen teeth, prevent osteoporosis, and improve skin and hair health.

Yogurt Health Benefits

What is Yogurt?

Yogurt can be derived from different types of milk, such as whole fat milk and skim milk. When sourced from grass-fed goats or cows, its nutrition is maximized, supplying whey protein, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, calcium, probiotics, enzymes, potassium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2.

Yogurt can be made from sheep’s, cow’s, or goat’s milk, and is produced by milk fermentation. It is believed that milk fermentation has been practiced for more than 6,000 years as a way to preserve milk before the convenience of refrigerators arrive.

The live microorganisms in yogurt, also called good bacteria or probiotics, ferment the milk’s natural lactose or sugar.  This produces lactic acid and causes milk proteins to curdle, providing yogurts its texture and distinctive taste.

Most people love yogurt for its creamy and rich indulgence. It is one of the most consumed fermented dairy products in the world, followed by kefir. Of course, there is more to it than just being a dessert or snack. Keep reading to discover the numerous health benefits of yogurt.

15 Proven Health Benefits of Yogurt on Your Body

1. Aids in Proper Digestion

Some types of yogurt contain probiotics or live bacteria that were either added after pasteurization or part of the starter culture. When consumed, these may aid in proper digestion. However, many yogurts undergo the pasteurization process, a heat treatment that kills not only the bad bacteria but also the beneficial bacteria they possess.

To make sure that your yogurt contains active probiotics, check the label and always look for products that contain live, active cultures.

Some probiotics found in yogurts, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, have been shown to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, which is a common digestive problem that affects the colon. In one study, people with IBS who consume fermented yogurt or milk that contain Bifidobacteria for three weeks reported to have in stool frequency and bloating.

2. Strengthens Immune System

Boosts Immune System

In a study, researchers have found that good bacteria found in fermented milk products like yogurt can enhance the gut mucosal immune system by encouraging cytokine-producing cells in the digestive tract. They also stated that “Supplementation of probiotic organisms in infancy could help prevent immune-mediated diseases in childhood.”

For those who are worrying about their immune health, yogurt is one of the best foods to incorporate into your diet. In another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that yogurt “could be an effective probiotic dietary supplement for enhancing some aspects of cellular immunity in the elderly.”

3. Helps Prevent Yeast Infections

Women who have diabetes are more likely to develop vaginal yeast infections. The vagina naturally contains a balanced mix of yeast, including bacteria and candida. The acid produced by lactobacillus bacteria prevents yeast overgrowth. But when the balance is disrupted due to antibiotic use, impaired immune system, diabetes, hormone therapy or oral contraceptives, it can lead to a yeast infection.

The lactobacillus acidophilus in yogurt helps destroy yeast by producing hydrogen peroxide. To prevent yeast infections, it is recommended to eat yogurt every day. Applying it directly to the affected area can help treat the infection.

4. Improves Bone Health

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the two essential nutrients for lowering your risk of having osteoporosis are vitamin D and calcium. Not enough vitamin D and calcium increase the chance of getting a bone-weakening disease.

Yogurt contains a combination of vitamin D and calcium, as well as other essential nutrients that promote bone health, such as protein, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium.

Magnesium and calcium are essential for maintaining dental and bone health, making yogurt good for people suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Adequate consumption of calcium also reduces the risk of osteoporosis in menopausal women.

5. Enhances Brain Function

Brain Health

According to a study from UCLA’s Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer Family Center for Neurobiology of Stress, the health of your gut affects your mood.  Researchers found that people who consumed probiotics regularly showed less anxiety and more control over emotions when introduced to emotional or stressful situations.

Yogurt also contains over 600 milligrams of potassium per 8 ounces serving, and this mineral is essential for nerve health and balancing fluid in the body. Being rich in good bacteria, yogurt has the ability to enhance cognitive function as well as mood. It may also help with chronic pain and nervous disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and autism.

Moreover, researchers noted that eating yogurt is ideal when taking antibiotics. Because antibiotics kill both harmful and good bacteria in the stomach, eating probiotics through yogurt would be beneficial.

6. May Benefit Heart Health

The fat content of yogurt is one of the reasons why its health benefits are often controversial. In fact, it has mostly saturated fat with only a small amount of monounsaturated fatty acids. It was believed that saturated fat caused heart diseases, but new studies show that this is not the case. Nevertheless, low-fat and fat-free varieties of yogurt are still in-demand in the United States.

There’s no clear evidence that yogurt’s fat content is harmful to your heart. Studies show that it may even benefit heart health.

Some research also reveals that the consumption of saturated fat from whole-milk products like yogurt increases good cholesterol, which may protect cardiovascular health. In another study, it was found that yogurt consumption reduces the overall incidence of heart disease.

7. Helps Treat Symptoms of Asthma

Asthma occurs when the airways become narrow and inflamed, making it difficult to breathe. This condition causes episodes of shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing. Dairy products have often been suggested as one of the common triggers for asthma, but there is no scientific evidence that supports this theory.

People with asthma can develop their immunity by helping their digestive health. Yogurt has anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate the symptoms of asthma. The good bacteria in it also lowers the risk of attacks in physically active suffers.

8. Prevents Hypertension

It is already mentioned that yogurt contains high levels of potassium, a powerful mineral hailed by nutritionists and cardiologists as a blood pressure regulator. Potassium is believed to decrease sodium re-absorption and helps the body get rid of excess sodium. Sodium is known as the main culprit behind high blood pressure, which leads to kidney problems and hypertension if not observed.

Potassium also encourages nervous system cell function, which is essential for preventing hypertension and for improving heart health. In a study from Harvard School of Public Health, it was found that people who eat at least three servings of yogurt per day have reduced risks of developing high blood pressure by 50 percent.

If you have high blood pressure, it may be best to incorporate yogurt into your diet.

9. Lowers the Risk of Diabetes


According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 26 million people in the US have diabetes. If current lifestyles continue, one out of three adults in the United States will suffer from this condition by 2050.

A new study published in the journal Diabetologia, it was found that eating yogurt at least four times a week may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The diets of 4,000 people were observed for 11 years, and researchers found that those with the highest yogurt consumption had a lower risk of getting diabetes by 24 percent than others.

10. Regulates Cholesterol Levels

Many studies have observed the effect of yogurt consumption on cholesterol levels. In a 2013 study, it was found that people who eat yogurt regularly have better metabolic profile than those who didn’t. They had lower body mass index, blood pressure, levels of triglycerides, and waist circumference. Yogurt eaters also showed higher levels of HDL ‘good’ cholesterol.

Another study also showed that the probiotics in yogurt reduced key cholesterol-bearing molecules in the blood and also lowered LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol.

In addition to yogurt, other foods that can help regulate cholesterol levels are beans, oats, okra and eggplant, barley and other whole grains, fatty fish, soy, and nuts.

11. Faster Workout Recovery

What you eat before and after workouts can make a difference in how you perform, move, and recover. After exercising, energy stores have to be replenished, and your muscles start repairing themselves. According to Mayo Clinic, the nutrient content in yogurt provides essential proteins and carbohydrates that the body can assimilate to repair muscles faster.

Keep in mind that not all yogurts have healthful nutrients for faster workout recovery. It is best to select a yogurt that is low in sugar and fat and should have less than 250 calories per serving.

12. Reduces Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Also known as bowel cancer, rectal cancer, or colon cancer, colorectal cancer is any cancer that affects the rectum and the colon. It is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, and third for men. But with improvements in treatments and advances in screening techniques, the death rate from this condition has been dropping.

In a study that involved 45,000 individuals, eating yogurt was shown to protect people from colorectal cancer. Researchers stated, “the protective effect of yogurt was evident in the entire cohort.” This occurs due to a healthier digestive tract, thanks to healthy bacteria present in yogurt.

13. Increases Fat Loss and Promotes Weight Management

Lose Weight

Yogurt contains many properties that may help you manage your weight. It is rich in protein that works with calcium to increase the production of hormones that reduces your appetite. Studies have also found that yogurt consumption is associated with lower body fat percentage, body weight, and waist circumference.

According to researchers at the University of Knoxville, dietary calcium has an impact on your weight loss efforts. Foods rich in calcium have been shown to preserve metabolism while dieting and increase body fat breakdown. This mineral also helps the body stay young by building strong bones.

14. Nourishes Hair

Yogurt has moisturizing properties that can also help in keeping your hair strong and healthy. It controls hair fall, calms frizz, and helps repair damaged hair, leaving it manageable and soft. Yogurt also contains anti-fungal property, making it an excellent remedy for dandruff. On top of that, it balances the pH levels of the scalp by regulating the production of sebum.

15. Helps Enhance Complexion

Those who have dry face can apply a yogurt face-mask at least once a week to keep it well hydrated. Yogurt also helps the skin become radiant and supple, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The lactic acid it contains serves as an exfoliating agent, removing the topmost layer of dead skin cells to reveal more elastic and brighter skin.

With its zinc and lactic acid, yogurt may also help treat pimples and acne. Make sure that you apply plain yogurt and not sweetened versions when treating your skin. In addition, you can also mix it with lemon juice to reduce the appearance of pigmentation and blemish left behind by acne.

Best Homemade Yogurt Recipe

Cinnamon Carrot Chips with Honey Yogurt Dip

Sweet and crispy carrot chips spiced with cinnamon and ginger and served with honeyed yogurt is not only a healthy and fun treat but a deliciously addictive one as well.

Garlic-Yogurt Baked Chicken

Flavorful, delicious baked chicken, marinated in a yogurt mixed with garlic and thyme. Your new favorite din!

Cookie Dough Greek Yoghurt

It’s perfect for those sweet cravings, especially cookie dough cravings.

Healthy Recipe for Strawberry Yogurt Cookies

Show you how to give your daily “run” a delicious boost of energy!

Easy Homemade Yogurt

When you get a little skill at it, the entire process becomes second nature, and you will have sweet fresh yogurt available whenever you like.

Final Word

Yogurt has strongly presented an argument as to why you should incorporate it into your diet. For best results, avoid sweetened yogurts as these products have added colorants and sugars that mimic fruit flavors. Excess sugar can be harmful to those suffering from obesity and diabetes. Therefore, read food labels and always opt for plain or yogurt derived from grass-fed cows. Add slices of fruits if you want to add some flavor.

While yogurt provides numerous health benefits, it may not be appropriate for everyone. People with lactose intolerance and milk allergy should avoid eating yogurt. Consuming dairy products in such conditions may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, hives, and other complications.

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