Do you remember your mother feeding you curd before you step out for an exam or an important event? In India, eating sweet curd before an important event like exam or job interview is considered auspicious. Curd is a staple in most of the households in India. We eat it with hot parathas, as sweet lassi or as cooling chaas. It is also consumed as raita, curd rice and dahi wada. It is prepared by fermentation of milk by bacterial culture called Lactobacillus delbrueckii. The bacterial fermentation produces lactic acid, which gives the curd the thick texture. Creamy, delicious curd or yogurt is considered as one of the healthiest foods in the world as it has many health benefits. Here is a list of health benefits of curd.
It makes your teeth and bones stronger
Rich in phosphorous and calcium, curd makes your teeth and bones stronger. It helps in prevention of arthritis and contributes towards healthier teeth and bones. Try to eat curd with every meal to have stronger bones and teeth.
It improves immunity
Curd is among the best probiotoic foods, which contains live microorganism beneficial for our body. Probiotics boost the count of infection fighting white blood cells. It prevents many infections and improves overall immunity. Look for ‘live active culture’ in the label, as all curd available in the market is not probiotic.
It is used as home remedy to get fair skin and great hair
Curd is also used as a beauty aid to get fair complexion. For clear, fair skin, all you need to do is mix curd, lime and gram flour. Apply this mixture on you face and wash it off after 15 minutes using lukewarm water. Yogurt acts as bleach and will make you look fairer. It is also an effective home remedy to get healthy, shiny hair.
Improves digestion
The probiotics in curd helps proper functioning of digestive system. Yogurt is easy to digest and can be consumed by those who are lactose intolerant as lactose is broken down during the fermentation process.
It is good for your heart
Eating curd everyday will help in reducing cholesterol levels, thus lowers the risk of high blood pressure and hypertension. It helps in keeping the level of cholesterol balanced and the heart healthy.
It helps lose weight
More fat is accumulated around the waistline due to an imbalance in a hormone called cortisol and faulty lifestyle. Curd is rich in calcium, which triggers less production of cortisol and helps in losing weight. Consuming yogurt makes you feel full for a long time. It also helps in making belly flat by decreasing the calories intake.
It removes dandruff
Curd is one of the best home remedies to fight dandruff. The anti-fungal property of yogurt makes it the best solution for removal of dandruff. All you need to do is to apply a mixture of curd and henna on your scalp and wash it after half an hour. It will not only help in getting rid of the dandruff but will also make your hair shiny and soft
Improves vaginal health
The good bacterial culture of curd is required for a healthy vagina. It balances out the vaginal pH and improve the health of the vagina. You can consume any type of curd with active live culture.
Helps control blood sugar level
The live yogurt culture and easily digestible protein in curd help control the blood sugar level. Greek yogurt has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and controls blood sugar in people with diabetes. Avoid the flavored or sweetened variety of yogurt.
It is an energy food
If you are look for an energy boost, yogurt should be your go to food. Rich in vitamins and minerals, curd is an energy booster. It works as an antioxidant and helps faster recovery after an intense workout session. It is a great pre-workout food.
Source: india.com
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