You may have recently heard about a “new” food Greek yogurt and wondered what all the fuss is about. It’s better for you? What does it taste like? What’s so special about Greek yogurt? Let’s take a look at this food and compare it to its American counterpart.

Yogurt basics:

This is a common food, a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. The fermentation of milk sugar (lactose) produces lactic acid, which acts on the milk protein to give it its texture and characteristic flavor. It is nutritionally rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.

Yogurt has nutritional benefits beyond those of milk: people who are moderately lactose intolerant can enjoy yogurt without ill effects, because the lactose in the milk precursor is converted to lactic acid by bacterial culture. The reduction in lactose avoids the need for affected individuals to process milk sugar themselves.

It also has medical uses, particularly for a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, and for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. One study suggests that eating yogurt containing L. acidophilus helps prevent vulvovaginal yeast infection, although the evidence is not conclusive. It is believed to promote good gum health, possibly due to the probiotic effect of the lactic acids present in yogurt.

Greek yogurt:

It is a food that has been strained in a cloth or paper bag or in a filter, traditionally made of muslin, to eliminate the whey, giving a consistency between that of yogurt and cheese, while preserving the characteristic acid flavor. of yogurt. Like many yogurts, strained yogurt is often made with milk that has been enriched by boiling some of the water content or adding extra fat from butter and powdered milk. “Greek style” yogurts are similar to Greek strained yogurt, but may be thickened with thickening agents. Or if they are made in the traditional way, they are based on domestic milk (rather than Greek). The active and living culture content of Greek yogurt is much higher than that of regular yogurt. However, it should be noted that liquid serum contains cystine and an amino acid that increases the body’s levels of glutathione, a compound that fights cancer.

What are probiotics and what are they for?

Yogurt, a great food contains probiotics. Probiotics are dietary supplements that contain potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast. According to the definition currently adopted by FAO / WHO, probiotics are: ‘Live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate quantities, confer a benefit to the health of the host’.

Probiotic bacteria cultures are intended to help the body’s natural gut flora, an ecology of microbes, to reestablish itself. They are sometimes recommended by doctors, and more often by nutritionists, after a course of antibiotics or as part of treatment for gut-related candidiasis. Probiotics are claimed to strengthen the immune system to fight allergies, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, exposure to toxic substances, and other illnesses. In these cases, the bacteria that work well with our bodies can decrease in number, an event that allows harmful competitors to flourish, to the detriment of our health.

So which is better, American yogurt or Greek yogurt?

When it comes to choosing from these great foods, both standard American yogurt and Greek yogurt are great for you, just in different ways. Greek yogurt is, for the most part, more concentrated than American yogurt, so it contains about twice the protein of American yogurt. But each contains high amounts of probiotics (although Greek yogurt contains more simply because it is so much more concentrated), so you really don’t have to choose. Eat them both daily and you will benefit more than if each of the two alone. And remember, a healthy diet alone will not help you keep your weight and health under control.