7 Health Benefits of Yogurt

Do you like yogurt? Sometimes spelled yoghurt, this fermented milk product has been around for thousands of years. In fact, it is believed that it originated in Bulgaria. From the Gaelic people to the Mongolians, yogurt has been a staple food for many traditional cultures. These cultures had no heart disease and lived on diets chiefly of fermented milk products and meats! The key was their milk was raw, not pasteurized. Pasteurization destroys many helpful enzymes in the yogurt and other cultured milk products.


Here are just a few of the health benefits you will receive from including yogurt in your daily diet:

• It’s loaded with friendly bacteria called lactobacillus acidophilus that is tolerated and assimilated better by those with allergies.

• Vitamins B and C are increased when raw milk is fermented into yogurt and other products, like kefir and raw cheeses .

• It protects you from bone loss.

• Fermenting milk breaks down difficult to digest milk proteins, so those that are lactose intolerant can usually enjoy the healthy benefits of yogurt.

• Lactase is an enzyme in fermented milk that breaks down the lactose in the digestive system, so yogurt improves your digestion.

• Yogurt is very beneficial for young nursing mothers, children, the elderly and those that are ill.

• Yogurt helps you fight infectious diseases.

Yogurt is easy to make at home and can be used in many different recipes. Smoothies are delicious when yogurt is added to the recipe. Also you can use it to make yogurt cheese, or a drink with lime juice and honey, herbal breads and dough for tart shells. Soak fresh ground wheat in water and a little yogurt overnight to neutralize the phytic acid in the wheat that inhibits digestion. It gives a wonderful sour flavor to breads!
©2009 Shanna Ohmes

Raw Milk vs Pasteurized

I just finished my article for EzineArticles on the health benefits of raw milk.  I thought I would pass on a few quick facts for those that are interested. 

• Raw milk is an immune system booster!  It has lots of enzymes and amino acids and it is easy to digest.
• Lactose intolerant?  No more-- after you drink raw milk it changes to lactase which is easily digested.  You may just be intolerant to pasteurized milk.
• Vitamins A and D.
• Loaded with calcium.
• Long proven history of use--about 8-10,000 years or so.
• In the early days, even the Mayo Clinic used raw milk from nearby farms to cure many diseases. 

Raw milk is delicious and healthy.  Find a homesteader near you and try it out.  In the meantime, read this article by Dr. Ron Schmid, ND to learn more.  Tomorrow's newsletter is on culturing milk products.  If you haven't signed up for the free weekly newsletters click here The Natural Living Site and sign up today.