CURD OR YOGURT

Curd, also known as yogurt, can be described as a dairy product that is made from fermented milk. In other words, when milk is curdled with rennet, or an edible acidic substance such as lemon juice or vinegar, and the liquid portion is drained off, what remains is known as curd. The quality of yogurt depends on the starter used to curdle it, while the time taken to curdle depends upon the level of heat. In hot weather, it takes less than 6 hours for the curling process to be complete, while in case of cold weather, curdling might take up to 16 hours. The active culture of yogurt, combined with its high nutritional value, has credited it with a lot of health and nutrition benefits. To know about the benefits of eating curd, read further.

Nutritional Value of Curd (150 gm of curd)

Nutrients	Whole Curd	Low-fat Curd
Calories	163	85
Carbohydrates	23.6 g	11 g
Proteins	7.7 g	7.7 g
Saturated Fats	4.2 g	1.2 g
Unsaturated Fats	2.3 g	0.8 g
Calcium	240 mg	285 mg

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Yogurt

·         Consumption of yogurt or curd has been associated with strengthening of the immune system.

·         One serving of yogurt per day is said to be beneficial for those suffering from osteoporosis.

·         Low-fat or skim curd is good for people who are suffering from higher levels of cholesterol.

·         Even those who are lactose-intolerant can consume yogurt, as bacteria present in it breaks down the lactose before it enters your body.

·         The bacteria in curd can help digest food and thus, alleviate the problem of stomach infection.

·         Those suffering from vaginal infection have also been found to have benefited from yogurt.

·         Studies have suggested that consumption of curd might help reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

·         The active culture of yogurt has been found to be beneficial in case of constipation and colon cancer.

·         Curd is also said to be helpful in treating inflammatory bowel disease and H. pylori infection.

·         Yogurt helps you feel fuller and is thus, a very good snack for those trying to lose weight.

·         Being rich in calcium, curd is good for the health of bones as well as the teeth.

·         Eating yogurt on a regular basis can help you absorb the nutrients in other foods as well.