5 Ways Cheese and Yoghurt Are Helping Your Digestion

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It’s all too easy to over-indulge sometimes and throw your digestion out of whack. But if you’ve been having tummy troubles lately, the solution may already be in your fridge. Yoghurt and some cheeses (such as cheddar, mozzarella and gouda) are great sources of probiotics – which can improve your digestive health when regularly consumed. It’s also important to keep the bacteria in your body balanced to ensure your digestive system functions properly. 

Not all yoghurts and cheeses are considered probiotic of course, but I have discovered that you can buy bacteria-friendly dairy products from Aussie Farmers Direct (https://shop.aussiefarmers.com.au/afd/australian-dairy-products/c/57)

And here are five ways they can help your digestion.

1. Good bacteria
Yoghurt is highly nutritious, and one of the best sources of the good bacteria that can be found in the gut. The good bacteria in yoghurt actually stimulates a healthy digestive function and can even help to treat stomach issues like diarrhoea, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. Beneficial bacteria aids you in digesting and eliminating your food, while also getting rid of unhealthy gut bacteria that causes bloating, constipation and gas – so grab a spoon and eat up!

2. Promotes digestive health
As a great source of probiotics, yoghurt helps to promote digestive health and reduce IBS symptoms, as well as digestive issues caused by antibiotics. Your digestive tract contains a lot of different types of bacteria, some of which are good and some of which are harmful. Eating yoghurt with probiotics will help to increase the good bacteria in your gut, meaning there’s less room for the bad ones to grow. Maintaining a healthy balance is essential for fighting off digestive issues and keeping you regular. 

3. Calcium to aid the production and activity of hormones
Both yoghurt and cheese are high in calcium, and consuming a relatively small amount of either can provide you with at least 30% of your daily calcium needs. Calcium aids in the production of the hormones involved in digestion, and is vital for the development and maintenance of your bones and teeth. Foods that are high in calcium will also help with the breakdown of food, which will improve your digestive comfort.

4. High in riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Some of the healthiest foods are rich in riboflavin (vitamin B2). Riboflavin helps your body digest and extract energy from food, and also keeps your gut lining in good shape. Some varieties of specialty cheese, such as goat’s cheese and feta, are said to be among the 12 best sources of riboflavin. So why not put some on your cheese plate today, and see if you feel the benefits?

5. Potassium helps with muscle contractions
Greek yoghurt contains high levels of potassium, which helps the muscle contractions of the digestive system. Muscle contractions enable food to travel along the digestive tract while absorbing all the important nutrients. Two sets of muscles work together to produce wave-like contractions to get your food through your digestive system and prevent constipation. Potassium-rich foods such as Greek yoghurt will keep you well-regulated and support your overall digestive health.