Yogurt always been regarded as one of the healthiest foods there is and there are some good reasons for this. Yogurt is easier to digest than milk, so for many people who are lactose intolerant or have a protein allergy, they can still eat yogurt. The process in which yogurt is cultured makes it more easily digestible. The live active cultures create lactase, the enzyme lactose-intolerant people lack, and another enzyme contained in some yogurts (beta-galactosidase) also helps improve lactose absorption in lactase-deficient people. Yogurt also tends to contain less lactose than milk.

Another benefit yogurt has, is it helps digestion and the processing of waste. Yogurt contains the intestine friendly bacteria, lactobacteria. Lactobacteria, especially acidophilus, promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon and reduces the conversion of bile into carcinogenic bile acids. The more of these intestinal friendly bacteria's that are present in your colon, the lower the chance of colon diseases.

Yogurt is also a rich source of calcium, but what most women don't realize is that yogurt is also packed with quality protein, magnesium and a variety of vitamins. So if you are a vegetarian you will find it a helpful source of protein. If you are on a low carb- high protein diet you may want to check the amount of carbs on the nutrition label to make sure it fits into you regimen.

There are other considerations when choosing a yogurt as well. Preferably it should be organic or produced from natural milk as opposed to pasteurized milk. Most countries where they enjoy yogurt on a regular basis (like Bulgaria or Scandinavian countries, which also have lower rates of colon cancer) the yogurt is produce in a purer form, from raw milk. There has been a few cases reportedly that when one coming from one such country arrives in the United States, and begins eating yogurt from pasteurized milk they developed irritable bowl syndrome.

So, while the benefits of adding yogurt to you diet are clear, it is important to choose your yogurt well.

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