ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOGHURT AND WHAT'S BEST

Generally, yoghurt is being perceived as a kind of health food which is high in protein, low in fat and rich in vitamins. It is good for those who are conscious of their body weight. To those who know, yoghurt is actually a"wonder food"

In olden days, yoghurt was made at home by simply letting milk to ferment. This process is very slow and unpredictable as the fermentation depends on the inherent lactobacilli in the milk. Present days, most yoghurt are manufactured by either using special lactic acid producing organism or by direct acidification of milk with acidulant such as gluconodelta lactone.

However, by FAO/ W H O standards, the definition of yoghurt is the coagulated milk product obtained by lactic acid fermentation through the action of Lactobacillus Bulgaricus and Streptococcus Thermophilus from milk and milk products. The real 'live' yoghurt is milk or milk products that is fermented by the true yoghurt cultures (L.Bulgaricus and Streptococcus Thermophilus) and the cultures are still active at the time of consumption. These cultures are also known as friendly bacteria.

BIO Yogit range is prebiotic and probiotic

(incl Wholemilk, Non-Fat and BIO Pre & Pro Biotic ranges)

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients which stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms and prolong their activity in the digestive system.

All Hansells Yogurts contain the probiotic bacteria L.acidophilus and Bd.bifidum. However, Hansells Pre & Pro Biotic Yogurt contains in addition, the prebiotic material Oligofructose. Oligofructose is a fruit sugar fibre which acts a food source in the colon for probiotic bacteria, particularly for Bd.bifidum. This means that these bacteria can continue to thrive where otherwise their activity would decline.

Health Benefits

Hansells Yogurt mix contains L.acidophilus and Bd.bifidum (described as probiotics), which are considered to have a great many health benefits.

Below are listed the beneficial properties of probiotics and references to support these claims - not necessarily in order of importance.

Prevention of Intestinal Infections.

Probiotic bacteria can inhibit the growth of common intestinal pathogens including Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Yersinia and Clostridia. Probiotic bacteria have very effective antimicrobial mechanisms such as competive colonisation, production of organic acids and other antibacterial agents.

 Ref. Gilliland,S.E. and Speck,M.L.(1977a). "Antagonistic action of L.acidophilus towards intestinal and food borne pathogens in associative cultures. J. Food Prot. 40(12),820-823.

Prevention of Cancer

Animal studies have confirmed that probiotic bacteria inhibit tumor formation and proliferation.Enzymes secreted by some "unhealthy " bacteria enhance the formation of carcinogens. Probiotics reduce the levels of undesirable enzymes, reducing the risk of intestinal cancers.

Ref. Reddy,G.V. et al.,(1983), Anti-tumor activity of yogurt components. J.Food Prot. 46(1),8-11.

Improvement in Lactose Digestion

Lactose intolerance is due to insufficient activity of lactase in the gut and causes various degrees of abdominal discomfort. Probiotic bacteria produce an enzyme which helps digest lactose.

Ref. Kim,H.S. and Gilliland,S,(1983), "L.acidophilus as a dietary adjunct for milk to aid lactose digestion in humans". J.Daiyr Sci.66, 959-966.

Reduce Side Effects of Antibiotics

Taking broad spectrum antibiotics often causes problems like diarrhoea and candida infections due to the destruction of "healthy" intestinal microflora. Probiotic bacteria can re-establish the "healthy" intestinal bacteria very quickly after antibiotic treatment.

Ref. Lidbeck,A. et al. Effect of oral supplementation with lactic acid bacteria during intake of antimicrobial agent. Intl. Dairy Lactic Acid Bacteria Conference, N.Z. 1995

Treatment of Infant Diarrhoea and Rotovirus

Probiotics (especially Bd.bifidum and S.thermophilus) are useful in the treatment and prevention of diarrhoea and rotovirus in infants.

 Ref. Saavedra,J.M., et al. "Feeding of Bd.bifidum and S.thermophilus to infants in hospital for prevention of diarrhoea and shedding of rotovirus. The Lancet,1994, (344),1036-1049.

 Cholesterol Lowering Effects

Animal and in-vitro trials have shown L.acidophilus can have an ability to lower serum cholesterol levels. However human studies remain inconclusive and trials are on-going.

Ref. Gilliland,S.E.,Walker,D.K., "Factors to consider when selecting a culture of L.acidophilus as a dietary adjunct to produce a hypocholesterolemic effect on humans". J.Dairy Sci.1990,(73),905-911.

Improvement of the Immune System

Laboratory trails have shown that probiotic bacteria stimulate the activity of the immune system by increasing the number of cells responsible for breaking down inert particles from the body.

Ref. Hatcher,G.E.,Lambrecht,R.S.,"Augmentation of macrophage phagocytic activity by cell free extract of selected lactic acid producing bacteria". J.Dairy Sci.1993,(76),2485-2492.

It is misleading to promote yogurt as having these health promoting properties unless it contains a minimum level of viable probiotic bacteria still present at the expiry date. Yogurt needs to contain a minimum of 1,000,000 viable probiotic bacteria cells per gram or ml to ensure it can deliver the maximum health benefits. These bacteria need to survive in the yogurt during storage, during transit through the acidic conditions of the stomach, and the enzymes and bile salts of the small intestines.

Hansells Yogurt contains at least 1,000,000 viable probiotic bacteria (L.acidophilus and Bd.bifidum) per gram of  yogurt until its expiry date, and in freshly made yogurt will maintain this level until up to two weeks storage in the refrigerator.

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A HISTORICAL POINT OF VIEW

Often dismissed as merely a dessert or at best, a low-calorie substitute for those on diet, very little is known about the goodness of yoghurt. In fact, yoghurt has been consumed far and wide by many civilizations.

According to history, there was an instance when Buddha was meditating under fasting conditions, he lost consciousness and was even near death. A lady came along and offered him a bowl of yoghurt. After Buddha consumed this, he regained consciousness. According to the Buddhist Holy Scriptures (nyet pan), yogurt was said to be the highest value of food derived from the fermentation of cow's milk. Yoghurt was considered the best medicine of all diseases.

Ancient Turks who were Buddhists were reported to use yoghurt as an offering to deities and angels. The great Mongol Emperor, Genghis Khan was said to have made it a military command that all soldiers carry yoghurt with them when out in the battlefields. These soldiers consumed yoghurt as part of their daily diet to keep healthy, strong and powerful. After conquering Europe, the Europeans discovered that it was yogurt which made the Mongols strong. They then started consuming yogurt daily. The yoghurt diet was popularised in the 14th century.

According to Biblical records, Abraham once gave a treat of yoghurt to three angels and that he owed his fertility and longevity to daily consumption of yoghurt. It was also noted that King David kept his soldiers strong and healthy on a diet of yoghurt.

Quranic records was said to have it that there were many instances that Prophet Muhammad referred to yoghurt as food from God and an elixir for all illnesses. He carried a goatskin of yogurt with him at all times and would feed some of it to any disciple who was sick.

In ancient times, yoghurt formed part of the daily diet and was often taken for its medicinal value. However, little is known about this until the beginning of the 20th century. An avalanche of new research has surfaced, throwing light on the wonders of yoghurt - its therapeutic effects on many diseases and its health-giving properties.

YOGHURT - A MEDICINE ?

"LET YOUR FOOD BE YOUR MEDICINE, AND YOUR MEDICINE YOUR FOOD"   .....HIPPOCRATES

As a result of many studies conducted, yoghurt is often hailed as "The Wonder Food". This is only true of "real, live" yoghurt. In many of these findings, the friendly bacteria has been useful in the following ways :

  • reduce cholesterol in the blood
  • aids digestion by producing certain, necessary enzymes
  • reduce unhealthy (bad) bacteria in the GI tract
  • detoxify toxic materials in the diet
  • reduce high blood pressure
  • strengthens our immunity
  • assist in elimination of ailments such as colon irritation, constipation, diarrhea
  • manufacture and assimilate B complex (which includes niacin, biotin, folic acid, riboflavin & B12)
  • produces natural antibiotics to inhibit pathogens.
  • produces cancer or tumour suppressing compounds
  • detoxifies hazardous chemicals added to foods, such as nitrates.
  • increases calcium assimilation (thus lowering risks of osteoporosis)
  • helps to eliminate bad breath and gas
  • retards yeast infection - thrush, vaginitis
  • helps to alleviate anxiety and stress

However, medical research is often limited by resources and until more findings are established, we can rest assure that "real, live" yoghurt taken daily will definitely boost our health.

"THE DOCTOR OF THE FUTURE WILL GIVE NO MEDICINE, BUT WILL INTEREST HIS PATIENT IN THE CARE OF THE HUMAN FRAME, IN DIET AND IN THE CAUSE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE'" .......... THOMAS EDISON



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