Curd (Dahi): Why You Should Consume It Daily!

 

Curd (Dahi): Why You Should Consume It Daily!

Hello Friends!

 

Hope you all are good and getting benefits from my previous posts. Today we will understand why we should consume Curd daily. Curd has amazing health benefits. Curd is a dairy product obtained by coagulating milk in a process called curdling. In India traditionally homemade yogurt also known as Dahi. In India the use of Curd stretches back to the beginning of existence and even Rig-Veda mentions Curd rice. In a hot country like India where stomach bugs were easy to pick up, yogurt acted as an ancient anti-biotic. We all know that “A healthy lifestyle not only changes your body, it changes your mind, attitude and mood also”. Let’s analyze Health Benefits of Curd in detail.

Historical Background:

1. The word “Yogurt” is Turkish in origin.

2. Yogurt is attributed to Neolithic peoples of Central Asia around 6000 B.C.

3. Herdsmen began the practice of milking their animals and natural enzymes in carrying containers curdled the milk, essentially making yogurt.

4. The consumption of yogurt spread through East.

5. Turkish immigrants brought yogurt to North America in 1700s.

6. Yogurt was popularized in 50s and 60s when it was started using as health food culture.

Difference between Yogurt, Curd and Butter Milk:

Yogurt:

 

 

1. Yogurt is a dairy product that is created by fermenting milk using bacteria. The bacteria that is used to ferment milk is known as “Yogurt Cultures”.

2. The bacteria ferment the lactose in the milk causing it to produce lactic acid which gives acidic taste in yogurt. Yogurt culture consists of Lactobacillus Bulgaricus and Streptococcus Thermophiles.

3. Yogurt is most commonly created using cow’s milk, buffalo, goats, camels and yaks.

Buttermilk:

1. Buttermilk originated from Southern Asia.

2. Buttermilk is produced from cow’s milk.

3. Buttermilk is substance that is left over after butter is churned out of the milk.

4. Buttermilk is fermented by using lactic acid bacteria.

Curd:

1. Curd or Dahi is a dairy product made by curdling the milk with edible acidic substance such as lemon juice or vinegar.

2. Dahi is made by boiling and cooling the milk to 30-40˚c and adding a spoonful of curd. Now curd has lactic acid bacteria or lactobacillus. This bacteria multiplies in temperature of 30-40˚c and in few hours ferments the milk to form curd.

Nutritional components in Yogurt, Curd and Buttermilk:

 

Yogurt	Curd	Buttermilk
Calcium	Calcium	Protein
Phosphorus	Iron	Fat
Vitamin B12	Potassium	Fiber
Protein	Vitamin B6	Calcium
Potassium	Zinc	Sodium
	Protein	Vitamin C
	Vitamin B12	Vitamin D
	Vitamin A	Vitamin A
	Lacto Acid Bacteria
	Phosphorous

Health Benefits of Curd:

1. Improves Digestive System: Due to changing lifestyle, changing environment people are suffering from indigestion problems. Over use of pesticides and more consumption of junk food is causing acidity problem among people. When pH level of blood is below 7 then our blood becomes acidic in nature. Normal pH level of blood 7.4. Curd has the ability to manage pH level. It helps people to get rid of acidic problem with regular consumption. It also improves symptoms of dysentery (Infection of intestines resulting in severe diarrhea with present of blood and mucus in the faeces).

(Also Read: Health Benefits of Pomegranate)

2. Strengthens Bones: Curd is rich source of Calcium and Phosphorous. Both calcium and Phosphorous help in strengthening of Bones. Regular consumption of Curd helps to improve symptoms of Arthritis (inflammation of Joints causing pain and stiffness) and Osteoporosis (Bones become brittle due to hormonal changes and deficiency of calcium and Vitamin D).

(Also Read: Vitamin- An Essential Nutrient(Vitamin A, C and D)

3. Boost up Immune System: Curd is proboitic in nature. Curd has live microorganisms. These microorganisms enhance metabolism of body. Our body’s immune system fights against various infections and outer bodies and keeps us healthy.

4. Vaginal Infection: Curd also helps women in case of various types of vaginal infections like fungal infections Candida. Curd helps to manage pH level in vaginal health and keeps alkaline in nature. To get rid of this infection woman should consume curd in an empty stomach as curd is rich source of Lactic Acid Bacteria.

5. Enhance Nervous System: Curd enhances nervous system because it works as a stimulant and thus relaxes human mind. Curd stimulates vagus nerve (which runs from brain to stomach). Thus in turn it stimulates the production of neurotransmitters (Brain chemicals that determine what we think and how we feel).

6. Stress and Anxiety: When toxins start accumulating in body then person becomes stressed. Stress is also caused due to accumulation of stress hormone ‘Cortisol’ in body. Curd offers relaxation and emotional balance to brain which in result reduces stress and cures anxiety.

(Also Read: Stress Management)

7. Hair Growth: Curd provides healthy and shining hair. Curd provides nutrients to hair follicles. By applying curd on hair we can rid of from dandruff problem also. We can apply curd on scalp by mixing methi powder on it or henna and eggs.

8. Anti-Ageing: Curd is rich source of lactic acid (It is a natural alpha hydroxy acid that helps to improve complexion). Curd has anti-ageing properties. It helps to get rid of from premature wrinkles and age spots.

9. Healthy Heart: Curd helps in promoting healthy heart. Curd promotes level of good cholesterol in body and reduces triglyceride level from blood. It also keeps arteries of heart healthy and improves blood flow. It reduces symptoms of hypertension and high blood pressure also. So one should use curd daily in the meal.

(Also Read: Which is Best for Health: Natural Seeds or Medicine!)

10. Fatty Liver: Curd is probiotic in nature thus reduces symptoms of Grade 2 Fatty Liver. 300 gram of curd per day control symptoms of Non-Alcoholic Fatty liver disease because it consists of Lactobacillus Bacteria. You can also use Yogurt because Yogurt contains both La5 (Lactobacillus Acidophilus) and Bb12 (Bifidobacteriumlactis).

11. Weight Loss: Curd helps to fight against obesity. Curd is rich source of calcium. Calcium restricts level of Cortisol in body. About 18 ounces of curd is enough to provide Calcium in body.

12. Lactose Intolerance: Many people suffer from Lactose Intolerance problem. Thus they don’t get benefits from milk. Curd is good alternative for these people. It helps in easy digestion of protein and other nutrients.

13. Improves Appetite: Curd promotes good bacteria in the gut. It works as a stimulant for taste buds. It results in improvement of appetite. We can consume curd by mixing salt or sugar in it.     

I hope you like this article. Add curd in your daily meal to live a healthy life as curd is rich source of Lacto Acid Bacteria, Probiotic in nature, fight against Cortisol hormone and keeps our mind healthy.

“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like and do what

you had rather not”- Mark Twain

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