Yogurt is truly one of natures wonder foods. One serving contains protein, calcium and little or no fat, in most varieties. While sugar and flavor-free yogurt is easily available, making your own yogurt from live cultures is fantastic. It's natural, has no sugar and is without preservatives. Yogurt, especially the fat-free version, is excellent for overall health and is a healthy alternative to oil based sauces, ice-cream, desserts and more. It tastes great with fruits, nuts, cereals and can be savored as smoothies and shakes. Mix a little plain yogurt with garlic and mint and use it with snacks instead of ketchup. Or, combine fat- free yogurt with some herbs and spices for healthy, guilt-free salad dressing or raita.

Why is yogurt good for you?

Yogurt contains beneficial or “friendly” bacteria called probiotics that reside in our intestinal tract. Forming the first link in the chain of life are simple life forms of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bifidus, and L. rhamnosus. These good bacteria incorporate and transform inorganic matter into organic and create nourishment that has sustained human life for millennia. Probiotics are also responsible for absorption and digestion of every key nutrient, maintain bowel balance, promote overall health and help fight off yeast infections. There are hundreds of identifiable types of probiotics. The good news is that the best ones are present in home-made yogurt. With a refined sugar and carbohydrate free diet, the human body maintains an adequate amount of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

To compensate for the negative effects of antibiotic therapy, wiser practitioners now advocate treating patients with ‘probiotics,' the name
given to beneficial bacteria. Besides promoting digestion and overall intestinal health, these organisms support our immune defenses and
actually manufacture certain nutrients, including Folic acid, biotin, and vitamin K. A deficiency of good bacteria may cause or exacerbate ailments such as food allergies, weak immune system and many other ensuing health problems. Re-populating the gut with good bacteria is vital for overcoming diarrhea and other bowel disorders and will often alleviate lactose intolerance as well. Antibiotics, environmental toxins, poor nutrition and excessive sugar kill friendly bacteria, allowing an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and yeast organisms. When this happens your digestion falters and you are prone to sickness. One of the best ways to replenish beneficial bacteria is to consume cultured products especially yogurt on a daily basis. The probiotics or viable cultures in yogurt keep multiplying in your gut and help to restore your digestion and keep you healthy.