Olwen Anderson's Blog

Yoghourt – The Probiotic In A Tub

Yoghourt has been used for centuries in many ancient cultures both as a food and as a medicine. Our ancestors realised that the good bacteria really boosted their health, as well as giving them a new way to enjoy dairy food. Here's how you can use yoghourt to benefit your health today:

That tub of sour-tasting milk is actually a fermented brew of healthy bacteria for your gut. We all have many varieties of bacteria in our bowels, both healthy and unhealthy varieties. They compete for passing nutrients, and some of the good ones help us absorb vitamins and prime our immune systems too.

By enjoying yoghourt, you are actively replenishing the good bacteria in your gut, and making life harder for the bad bacteria.

When you visit the supermarket to buy some health-giving yoghourt, follow these simple steps to get the result you want.

- Choose plain unsweetened yoghourt, and add fresh fruit at home to sweeten if you need to. The extra sugar in flavoured yoghourt can really expand your waistline!

- Avoid flavoured 'low fat' yoghourt for the same reason. Extra sugar has often been added to compensate for the reduced fat. Plain low fat yoghourt though is great. 

- Remember that the fresher the tub, the more friendly bacteria it contains: Check the use-by date.

- You don't need to eat much yoghourt to get a benefit. 100g, or four dessertspoons, will give you the right dose of friendly bacteria for the day.

- Choose a different brand of yoghourt every time you shop. Different brands contain different friendly bacteria varieties. Each of these varieties will have a different benefit for your gut.

Here's a tip to help you adjust your palate to the more 'sour' taste of real yoghourt: Mix some plain yoghourt with pineapple or orange juice. Use it as a 'dip' for pieces of fresh raw fruit. As you become accustomed to the taste, reduce the amount of fruit juice. The kids will really enjoy this as a treat if the fruit pieces are threaded onto skewers first.

Yoghourt can also make a great dip mixed with fresh raw minced garlic and finely diced cucumber. Use carrot sticks as dippers rather than crackers. Very refreshing on a hot day!

NOTE: If you have diarrhoea or have been taking antibiotics, you need probiotic capsules for a really big dose of good bacteria to reinoculate your gut.