Greek yogurt, what is this, benefit and harm, what exactly makes it such a healthy product?

Yogurt is one of the healthiest food. This is due not only to the high content of calcium, but especially with lactic acid bacteria, found in yogurt. These bacteria are considered the protectors of the intestinal tract..

Greek yogurt is even better than natural yogurt., it is not only delicious, but contains more protein. But Greek yogurt can do so much more..

What is Greek yogurt?

Greek yogurt is traditionally made in Greece, but now it is also available in supermarkets in other countries. Compared to natural yogurt, Greek yogurt contains almost twice the protein (to 8 percent), contains almost no carbohydrates, and contains more fat, nearly 10 percent. Regular yogurt contains 2 to 4 percent fat, depending on the type of.

What does Greek yogurt taste like?

Greek yogurt tastes like natural yogurt, but it is softer and, due to the higher fat content, more satisfying and has a creamy taste. Besides, Greek yogurt is higher in calories than regular yogurt.

Features of Greek yogurt

The reason for the differences between Greek yogurt and natural yogurt lies in the production process of these dairy products.. More lactic acid bacteria are used to make Greek yogurt, and it takes more milk to make the same amount of yogurt. One kilogram of Greek yogurt requires 4 liters of milk, and for natural - everything 1 kg. Besides, Greek yogurt separates more whey and increases its fat content. That's why Greek yogurt is also called “expressed yogurt”.

Why is Greek yogurt good for you??

There are many reasons to add Greek yogurt to your diet.. Rich and creamy taste is just one of the aspects.

1. Greek yogurt contains almost twice as much protein, than regular yogurt

Proteins are made up of what are called amino acids., basic building blocks in the body. These building blocks are needed by your body to build new cells and repair existing cells., including muscles. After exercise, amino acids can be used to form new muscle cells and repair damaged muscle cells.. Besides, proteins are part of your antibodies, that is, protective substances in the body. Your immune system can only successfully fight diseases with enough proteins..

The protein from Greek yogurt can also be absorbed especially well by the body., because it has a high biological value. It means, that your body can synthesize the proteins it needs faster and more efficiently. vegetable protein, opposite, less metabolized, than animal protein.

2. More body fat improves muscle building

Your Body Needs More Than Protein, to function properly. Fats play an equally important role, because they are needed, in particular, for building hormones and cell walls. Besides, fat supports protein synthesis. So, fat and proteins – it's a great combination, which supports muscle building and at the same time makes you feel full for a long time. Since fat guarantees, that protein is digested more slowly and more completely - so your body is supplied with protein for longer.

3. Greek yogurt is low in carbs

Greek yogurt contains fewer carbohydrates, than natural yogurt, and suitable for low carbohydrate diets. Due to the small amount of carbohydrates, blood sugar levels are kept constant..

4. Greek yogurt is a source of natural calcium

The average adult human skeleton contains about one kilogram of calcium.. It is an essential element of the body, and skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle function properly only under the condition, what, among other things, calcium and magnesium are present in adequate amounts. If you are not getting enough calcium, your body extracts calcium from bones, which negatively affects their structure. Increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

5. Greek Yogurt Supports Gut Health with Probiotics.

Yogurt is one of the probiotic foods, so, it contains lactic acid bacteria – primarily Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These bacteria settle in the large intestine with existing bacteria and form the natural intestinal flora there., also known as the microbiome. The microbiome is about 2 kilograms of your total body weight - so it's not surprising, that the composition of your gut bacteria has a big impact on your health. Among other things, they affect the formation of antibodies and the risk of various diseases., like cancer, diabetes and rheumatism. But bacteria also affect your weight., living in the intestines, because gut flora can alter metabolism. Good news: intestinal flora is closely related to your diet. For example, if you consume little sugar and alcohol and include fermented foods in your daily diet, such as yogurt, as well as kefir or sauerkraut, you support a healthy and diverse intestinal flora.

How to Buy Real Greek Yogurt?

If you come across a Greek shelf with “Greek yogurt”, you should read the label carefully, because it may not be the original Greek yogurt, but a cheap product, which usually contains many thickeners and other additives. Therefore, these foods usually have a much lower protein content. (only about 3 percent).

Greek yogurt can be combined, just like any other yogurt, like fruit, nuts and honey. At the same time, it contains more protein and fat - ideal for building strong muscles.