Yogurt Uses

It is a common fact that yogurt is made from milk, through the process of fermentation. It has been used for human consumption for a very long time and is still one of the commonly used food items. It is said that ancient people used to store milk in bags made of goats' skin or sheep's skin.

The bacteria in the air fermented this milk, leading to the discovery of yogurt. Now, this dairy product is widely used across the globe. Yogurt can be consumed as such or in combination with fruits, cereals, etc.

It is also an indispensable ingredient in a wide range of food recipes. Apart from being a tasty addition to your diet, yogurt offers some health benefits too. It is also used for skin and hair care.

Yogurt is a delicious as well as healthy dairy product that can also be used by those with lactose intolerance. It is rich in protein, B vitamins, vitamin D, calcium and other nutrients. Being rich in nutrients, yogurt is considered to be healthy in many ways.

Regular use of yogurt is believed to be beneficial for boosting the immune system. Even the active cultures (lactobacillus bacteria) in this dairy product are found to be good for the digestive health. It is also said to be useful in countering vaginal and urinary tract infections, helicobacter pylori infection, etc.

You might have heard about the use of yogurt for yeast infection. The beneficial bacteria in this dairy product is said to fight candida, thereby providing relief to those with yeast infection. It has also been suggested that this dairy product is good for preventing colorectal cancer.

This dairy product is also used for treating diarrhea, especially in kids. It is excellent for restoring the levels of normal bacteria in the intestines. Even topical application of yogurt is beneficial for various conditions like, sunburn.

Apart from being a tasty treat, yogurt is also used for preparing various dishes. It is used in making different types of soups, dips, salads, cakes, mousse, breads, muffins, biscuits, sauces, etc. It is also an indispensable ingredient in some vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and is used in marinades too.

You may prepare a marinade for chicken by mixing some low-fat yogurt with a small amount of minced garlic, curry powder and some lemon juice. You may replace sour cream with yogurt, as a topping for mashed potatoes.

Yogurt smoothies are among those popular beverages that are prepared with this dairy product. Yogurt is also used to prepare summer drinks in various parts of the world. Yogurt cheese is an excellent replacement for cream cheese. It can be prepared by putting yogurt in a sieve that is lined with cheesecloth, for at least two hours.

It is better to keep the sieve in the refrigerator. You may find a whole lot of recipes with yogurt in almost all regional cuisines. One of the popular yogurt types, Greek yogurt is widely used for preparing marinades, sauces, dips, etc.

Apart from its culinary uses, yogurt is also used for cosmetic purposes. It is said to be highly effective in improving conditions of the hair as well as the skin. While, ingestion of yogurt is good for skin and hair, even topical application is found to be effective in various ways.

This dairy product is good for cleansing and exfoliating too. It can also soften skin to some extent. Yogurt is mixed with various other materials to prepare facial masks, scrubs, etc. In combination with egg white, it makes a good facial mask for dry skin.

For people with oily skin, a few drops of lemon juice to this mask will be enough. You can use a yogurt honey mask for dry skin. Those with combination skin can use a yogurt face mask with pureed parsley. Along with crushed orange peels, yogurt can be a good exfoliant.

As far as hair is concerned, application of this dairy product is said to be beneficial for fighting dandruff. A mixture made of yogurt (half cup) along with egg (one) and ripe banana (one) is said to be a good conditioner for hair.

You may also add a few drops of lemon juice as well as vitamin E oil, to this mixture. Application of yogurt makes hair soft and shiny. So, this dairy product is also good for dry and brittle hair.

In short, yogurt is one of those dairy products with multiple uses and the above said are only a few among them. So, use yogurt and stay healthy.