Friendly Bacteria
Probiotics or friendly bacteria are vital to a healthy, properly functioning intestinal tract and act as a backup to your body's immune system. Probiotics can promote health by secreting antibiotic-like substances, which help detoxify and suppress pathogens, promoting proper digestion. Certain probiotic strains are particularly beneficial, producing abundant amounts of the enzyme lactase , and may effectively aid many individuals with an intolerance to dairy products. Probiotics are most often depleted by the use of antibiotics, stress, lack of sleep, carbonated drinks, laxatives or poor diet. Probiotics are found in such foods as sauerkraut, unsweetened yogurt as an example.
Properties
I am mainly focusing on yogurt, as it is familiar to most people, especially women and especially associated with dieting. Yogurt has been in use by different cultures for centuries, going back as much as 4500 years. It is very nutritious and an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, people that have difficulty digesting regular milk products, can tolerate yogurt, as well as soy milk.
Health Value vs. Calories
Yogurt is not really a "diet" food or as some believe, a low calorie ice cream substitute, but that may be part of the reason we consume over a billion pounds a year. While plain low fat yogurt is relatively low in calories, the addition or certain flavorings make it comparable in calories to vanilla ice cream. Fruit flavored yogurt sales far outpace that of the plain.
Longevity
It has long been thought that there was an association between longevity and the consumption of yogurt. While studies have produced no evidence to show that eating yogurt will keep us alive longer, it still has a place in a healthy diet for all ages.
Try This
Yogurt is useful in a lot of recipes as a substitute for sour cream, an ingredient in the ever popular smoothie, and is used in Turkish and other regional dishes. Plain non-fat yogurt is used in this recipe for a cold soup. You will need a blender to puree the following ingredients:
2 cups peeled and seeded cucumbers
1 cup water
1 cup non-fat yogurt
1 clove garlic
several mint leaves
2 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. dill weed
Serve chilled in small bowls. You may add mint, dill and a few drops olive oil to garnish.
