Discover the 10 shocking health benefits of probiotics and side effects.

Traditional probiotic yogurt is made from dairy that is fermented into a creamy food packed with beneficial probiotics and is a  balanced source of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Yogurt is considered a  superfood when sourced from grass-fed cows or goats, yogurt nutrition is maximized, supplying  omega-3 fatty acids,  whey protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin K2 and enzymes that make the benefits of probiotic yogurt truly amazing.

Dairy yogurt can be made from goat’s or sheep’s milk, but traditional cow’s milk is still the most popular, plus, yogurt is the most widely consumed fermented dairy product in the United States today, with the second being the kefir.

The fermentation of dairy milk is believed to date back more than 6,000 years to Central Asia as a way to preserve milk. Historical records place yogurt in India, Persia, and Turkey not long after it was seen in Central Asia.

Yogurt was prized for its creamy texture and many uses. Back then, fresh milk used to be carried in the stomach lining of animals, where many believe that healthy bacteria, along with the weather, contributed to fermentation.

Today, however, the process is very different! Dairy milk is heated to the point of killing existing bacteria, a process known as pasteurization.

An initial culture of live bacteria is introduced, and the milk is allowed to ferment for several hours until it is thick, rich, and sour.

Health benefits of probiotics

So why is probiotic yogurt so good for you? In a study published a couple of years ago, 6526 people were studied, and yogurt intake was directly associated with better overall diet quality, healthier metabolic profiles, healthier blood pressure, and triglyceride levels.

Additionally, probiotic yogurt benefits were found to be an excellent source of calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins B2; Yogurt is great for overall health and wellness, and probiotic-rich foods are central to the  GAPS diet plan. Here are 10 proven health benefits of probiotics:

1.- Benefits of probiotics for digestion

The healthy bacteria added to yogurt help improve the microflora in the gut, which is responsible for digestion and a healthy digestive tract.

These active cultures can help with certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as colon cancer, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, and lactose intolerance.

Many people who struggle with lactose intolerance find yogurt to be a calming food, not one that causes digestive problems.

2.- Benefits of probiotics for diabetes

In a recent study, a higher intake of probiotic yogurt is directly associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the benefits of probiotics are supported by the digestion and absorption of nutrients throughout the digestive tract; This is essential for healthy blood sugar regulation.

3.- Benefits of probiotics for colorectal cancer

In a large study of more than 45,000 individuals, consuming the benefits of probiotic yogurt was shown to protect against colorectal cancer, the researchers noted that “the protective effect of yogurt was evident throughout the cohort.” The reason for this is a healthier digestive tract, due to the probiotics and healthy bacteria in the yogurt.

4.- Benefits of probiotics for osteoporosis

According to Jeri Nieves, Ph.D., MS, and director of the Helen Hayes Hospital for Bone Density Testing in New York,  “Proper nutrition plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and the micronutrients of greatest importance are calcium and vitamin D.

The combination of calcium and vitamin D has a clear skeletal benefit, provided the dose of vitamin D is high enough. “ Dairy yogurts are rich in calcium and many dairy yogurts are fortified with vitamin D, however, raw cow’s milk yogurt is not. I need fortification as it contains 38 IU per quart!