Yogurt,benefits
<p>Yogurt is nutritionally rich in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein" title="Protein">protein</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium" title="Calcium">calcium</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riboflavin" title="Riboflavin">riboflavin</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B6" title="Vitamin B6">vitamin B6</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12" title="Vitamin B12">vitamin B12</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-yale_33-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogurt#cite_note-yale-33">[33]</a></sup> It has nutritional benefits beyond those of milk. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance" title="Lactose intolerance">Lactose-intolerant</a> individuals can sometimes tolerate yogurt better than other dairy products, because the lactose in the milk is converted to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucose" title="Glucose">glucose</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactose" title="Galactose">galactose</a>, and partially fermented to lactic acid, by the bacterial culture.<sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogurt#cite_note-34">[34]</a></sup>
Yogurt containing live cultures has been found effective in a randomized trial at preventing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibiotic-associated_diarrhea" title="Antibiotic-associated diarrhea">antibiotic-associated diarrhea</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogurt#cite_note-35">[35]</a></sup> Yogurt contains varying amounts of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat" title="Fat">fat</a>. There is non-fat (0% fat), low-fat (usually 2% fat) and plain or whole milk yogurt (4% fat).<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogurt#cite_note-36">[36]</a></sup> A study published in the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Journal_of_Obesity" title="International Journal of Obesity">International Journal of Obesity</a></i> (11 January 2005) also found that the consumption of low-fat yogurt can promote weight loss.<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogurt#cite_note-37">[37]</a></sup>
Yogurt is a valuable health food for both infants and elderly persons. For children, it is a balanced source of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals. For senior citizens, who usually have more sensitive colons or whose intestines have run out of lactose, yogurt is also a valuable food. Elderly intestines showed declining levels of bifidus bacteria, which allow the growth of toxin-producing and, perhaps, cancer-causing bacteria. Yogurt may help prevent osteoporosis, reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Yogurt with active cultures helps the gut, may discourage vaginal infections, and may help one feel fuller.<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogurt#cite_note-38">[38]</a></sup></p>