Yogurt is one of those foods that everybody tends to agree is incredibly healthy. Studies have shown, for example, that yogurt can help to lower blood pressure. Greek yogurt especially is said to be packed with probiotics along with all kinds of essential nutrients. However, there are a few misconceptions about yogurt that should be set straight. The following are a few myths about yogurt to avoid falling for:
- Greek yogurt is healthier than all other types of yogurt. Greek yogurt has roughly twice the amount of protein as regular yogurt. However, it also has more saturated fat than regular yogurt – not to mention that it lacks the calcium that regular yogurt has. Greek yogurt loses its calcium during the process in which whey and lactose are strained out.
- Anyone that’s lactose intolerant should avoid eating yogurt. Actually, the good bacteria found in both Greek and regular yogurt helps predigest some of the lactose, thereby reducing the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
- Low-fat yogurt is the best option. Many consumers avoid full-fat yogurt in favor of low-fat yogurt. However, full-fat yogurt doesn’t just have the saturated fat most people are trying to avoid – it also has conjugated linoleic acid, which is actually linked to protecting against type 2 diabetes. Not to mention that full-fat yogurt makes one feel fuller for a longer period of time as the fat takes longer to digest, thereby staving off hunger.
- Out of all available dairy products, yogurt is the most rich in probiotics. Probiotics are a friendly bacteria that can enhance digestion and improve the function of the immune system. As previously stated, Greek yogurt is known for being packed with probiotics. However, there are other dairy products that also contain probiotics. For example, kefir has way more probiotics than Greek yogurt.
While yogurt is an incredibly healthy food that shouldn’t be ignored, there are a lot of myths surrounding yogurt, such as these, that should be dismissed. At The Benefits Store, we strive to keep California residents up to date on all health related news and information, including dietary advice.