You can remember that your mother feeding you curd before you step out for an exam or an important event. Generally in India, eating sweet curd before an important exam or job interview is considered auspicious. Curd is 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 curd the thick texture. The creamy, delicious curd is considered as one of the healthiest foods in the world as it has many health benefits.
Here you can know why curd should be a part of your daily diet
Stronger teeth and bones
Curd is rich in phosphorous and also calcium; it gives strength to your teeth and bones. It also helps in prevention of arthritis and contributes towards healthier teeth and bones. You should eat curd with every meal to have stronger bones and teeth.
Improves immunity
Curd is one of them among the best probiotic foods, it contains live microorganism helpful for our body. Probiotics boost the count of infection fighting white blood cells. It prevents many of the infections and also improves overall immunity.
Curd is also used to get fair skin and great hair
Curd is used as a beauty aid to get fair skin complexion. For clear, fair skin, all you need to do is mix curd, lime and gram flour. Apply this mixture on your face and wash it off after 15 minutes using lukewarm water. Yogurt acts as bleach and will make you look fairer.
Improves digestion
The probiotics in yogurt helps legitimate functioning of digestive system. Yogurt is easy to digest and can be consumed by lactose intolerant persons as lactose is broken down during the fermentation process.
Good for your heart
Eating regular curd will help in decreasing 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.
Helps lose weight
More fat is accumulated around the waistline due to imbalance of 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 tummy flat by decreasing the calories intake.
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 yogurt 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 helps in controlling blood sugar level. The yogurt has been used to lower the risk of heart disease and it also controls blood sugar in people with diabetes. Avoid the flavored or sweetened variety of yogurt.
Energy food
If you are looking 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 and post-workout food.
At the end of the day it is for you to decide what your body actually needs more. However, ensure to choose your yogurt wisely. For maximal health benefits, choose plain, unsweetened varieties that contain probiotics.