Health And Beauty Benefits Of Curd

The bacteria used to make curd or yoghurt are called “yoghurt cultures.” Curd is packed with essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Let us examine the nutritional value of curd per 100-gram serving.

Also Read: Health And Beauty Benefits Of Curd

Curd is excellent for most of us. It has a magical effect on different parts of our body. The fact that curd can be eaten and applied externally makes it even more versatile for day-to-day use. Here are some benefits of eating curd daily:

Curd Improves Digestive Health

One of the essential health benefits of eating curd is that it helps maintain better digestive health. It is packed with healthy bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which is good for gut health.

A healthy gut microbiome helps in the absorption of nutrients, digestion of foods and prevention of various gastrointestinal disorders. A healthy digestive system ensures that your body can absorb essential nutrients and efficiently clear waste.

Also Read: Improve Gut Health with 10 Probiotic Foods in India

Curd Strengthens the Immunity

Yoghurt's living active cultures battle disease-causing bacteria and protect your gut and intestinal system. A healthy immune system serves as your body's natural defence against infections and disorders.

The nutrients in curd are essential for boosting your immune response and creating a layer of defence that can minimise your susceptibility to many infections. You are less likely to fall ill when you have a strong immunity.

Curd Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Another crucial benefit of eating curd daily is that it helps regulate blood sugar levels. The curd is packed with high fat and protein content, which helps slow down the digestion of carbohydrates.

This slowing down of carbohydrates will help in the gradual release of sugar into the bloodstream, preventing spikes in blood glucose levels, making it a suitable addition for diabetic people.

Curd Helps with Weight Loss

Curd might be a great addition to your diet if you are trying to lose or keep weight off. Its high protein content promotes feelings of fullness, which reduces the desire to snack on bad, calorie-dense meals. Furthermore, combining the amount of protein and probiotics in curd may aid in weight loss by increasing metabolism and encouraging fat loss.

Curd Supports Heart Health

Another important health benefit of curd with sugar is that it helps support heart health. Curd is packed with heart-healthy fats that assist in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

The probiotics present in curd help increase the good cholesterol level (HDL) and lower the bad cholesterol level (LDL). Furthermore, it also contains potassium, probiotics and calcium, which help manage blood pressure.

Curd Improves Bone Health

Another significant benefit of eating curd is that it helps improve bone health. It contains essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus, which are good for better bone health.

The calcium content in curd helps build strong bones, while the phosphorus content also plays a vital role in supporting bone structure and aiding in the proper absorption of calcium.

Also Read: Calcium Rich Foods

Curd Hydrates the Body

The health benefits of eating curd also include proper hydration. Its high water content helps keep the body hydrated, which is crucial for various bodily functions, such as regulating body temperature, supporting digestion and maintaining skin health.

In addition to this, it also contains electrolytes like potassium, which helps maintain the fluid balance in the body.

Curd Manages Anxiety and Stress

Another crucial health benefit of eating curd is that it helps manage stress and anxiety. It is packed with probiotics, which play a crucial role in regulating mood.

The probiotics in curd help balance the gut bacteria, which in turn can influence the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin. By improving gut health, curd can help regulate mood and reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Curd is Good During Pregnancy

Another health benefit of curd during pregnancy is that it promotes the overall well-being of pregnant women. It is high in calcium, which is essential for the development of the baby’s bones and teeth.

It also helps maintain the mother's bone health during pregnancy. Furthermore, probiotics in curd aid in improving digestion and can help prevent common pregnancy-related issues like constipation and indigestion.

Curd Promotes Better Skin

Curd contains critical elements such as zinc, vitamin C and calcium, which are helpful to the skin and keep it healthy. It also heals your dry skin and repairs the damage from the inside by treating the root cause of skin damage from the inside.

In addition to that, it makes your skin glow on application and evens your skin. Moreover, it reduces the chances of pimples or acne and also tightens your pores.

Curd for Better Hair Health

Problems like hair breakage, dandruff, dry scalp, dry hair, lack of moisture, etc., are common these days. Especially with changing weather, your hair reacts differently. Curd is beneficial for your hair and will definitely improve its quality.

As the scalp is a part of your skin, curd heals the dryness that leads to dandruff reduction. Reduced dandruff results in less hair loss. It also ingrains moisture in your hair and keeps it locked in.

Also Read: Curd for Hair: Benefits & How to Apply

Curd is a common ingredient in Indian households and is used in a variety of recipes. From dahi vada to lassi to raita, there are a variety of dishes that can be made at home using curd. Here are some popular curd recipes to try at home.

Mango Dahi Lassi

Ingredients

• 2 cups of curd

• 2 to 3 tablespoons of light cream

• 2 cups of chopped mangoes

• 4 to 5 tablespoons of sugar

• 4 to 5 ice cubes

• 8 to 10 saffron strands

How to Prepare

Step 1: In a blender, add mango cubes and sugar and blend it.

Step 2: Make sure to blend it until it gets a smooth texture with no mango chunks.

Step 3: Add curd and cream and blend it again.

Step 4: Pour some ice cubes into a glass and then add mango lassi.

Step 5: Garnish it with some saffron strands.

Kadhi

Ingredients

• 1 cup of curd

• 2 to 3 tablespoons of gram flour

• 1 tablespoon of ghee

• ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds

• 1 or 2 green chillies.

• ½ teaspoon of mustard seeds

• 5 to 6 curry leaves

• ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder

• ¼ teaspoon of asafoetida

• ¼ teaspoon of sugar

• 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander.

• Salt (as required)

How to Prepare

Step 1: In a bowl, add curd, gram flour and water.

Step 2: Mix the batter so well that there are no lumps.

Step 3: In a pan, heat some ghee.

Step 4: Add mustard and cumin seeds and let them crackle.

Step 5: Once it starts to crackle, add green chillies and curry leaves.

Step 6: Saute the ingredients for a few seconds and then add asafoetida and turmeric powder.

Step 7: Next, add the curd and gram flour mixture and stir it continuously.

Step 8: Add sugar and salt and stir the mixture.

Step 9: Let the mixture simmer for a while till it thickens.

Step 10: Depending on the consistency you prefer, let the mixture simmer.

Step 11: Once it is cooked, switch off the flame and garnish it with coriander leaves.

Step 12: Serve the prepared kadhi with rice or chapati.

Dahi Rayta

Ingredients

• 1 cup of plain yogurt

• 1-2 tablespoon of water

• ½ teaspoon of roasted cumin powder

• ½ teaspoon of black salt

• Salt (as required)

• ¼ teaspoon of red chilli powder

• Fresh coriander leaves

How to Prepare

Step 1: In a bowl, whisk the yoghurt to make it smooth.

Step 2: Add water to adjust the consistency.

Step 3: Add roasted cumin powder, black salt, regular salt and red chilli powder to the yoghurt mixture.

Step 4: Mix all the ingredients well.

Step 5: Garnish it with fresh coriander leaves.

Also Read: 12 Powerful Health Benefits of Milk

While curd has several benefits, you must be mindful of some side effects it may cause:

Lactose Intolerance

Some people struggle to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products such as curd. Lactose intolerance can cause digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhoea and stomach cramps. However, even then, curd is quicker for them to digest than milk is.

Weight Gain

While low-fat curd can be an excellent replacement for processed food and can help you lose weight, its excessive consumption can lead to weight gain. Full-fat or sweetened curd can be high in calories, so avoiding them is advisable, especially if you are trying to lose weight.

Concerns About Cholesterol

Full-fat dairy products, such as full-fat curd, might be high in saturated fat. Excess saturated fat consumption can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.

Medicinal interference

Calcium and other minerals in curd may interfere with certain drugs, particularly antibiotics and some thyroid treatments. If you are taking medication, talk to your doctor about any potential interactions with dairy products.

Curd is a useful addition to a diet since it offers various health benefits. From better digestive health to improved bone health, there are many health benefits of curd. However, it should be consumed in moderate amounts as it may cause some side effects, as well.

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Can lactose intolerant people eat curd?

Yes, many lactose-intolerant individuals can tolerate curd because the fermentation process reduces the lactose content. The probiotics in curd also help in breaking down lactose, making it easier to digest.

Can I eat curd daily?

Yes, you can eat curd daily as part of a balanced diet. It is a nutritious food that provides calcium, protein and probiotics, which offer various health benefits, such as improving digestion and supporting bone health.

What is the right time to eat curd?

The best time to eat curd is typically during the day, either with meals or as a snack. Eating it with lunch or dinner is ideal because the probiotics in curd can aid digestion. However, some people should avoid consuming curd at night, as it can sometimes lead to mucus production or indigestion.