Stay Cool, Stay Healthy

The Power of Yogurt

Indians and yogurt have a symbiotic relationship. Considering the fantastic probiotic values yogurt possesses, it is just as well. Can’t go wrong eating yogurt every day, as most Indians do. Or at least as the vegetarians do

 
Text: Farzana Contractor
 
We love eating yogurt, which we make freshly at home regularly. We call it curd, dahi in Hindi and many other Indian languages. It’s a staple with us, we eat it plain, or in salads like raita or savoury dishes like dahi vada, dahi puri, we use it to cook vegetables and meats or even in making desserts like shrikhand and best of all, lassi! Yes, it is embedded in our customary daily meals and the vast Indian cuisine, from the north to the south, east to west.   

It also plays a big part in our cultural traditions. It has religious rituals associated with it, too. In Hindu homes, during festivals it is used as offerings (prasad) to the deity. A mix of jaggery and yogurt is also offered for good luck before important events; like exams or when someone is setting off on a journey. During wedding ceremonies yogurt is seen as a symbol of fertility and health or at a housewarming occasion as prosperity and good fortune.

But the best part about yogurt in the Indian context has to be the fact that it is the most cooling agent we can put into our stomachs! Nothing like curd to cool you down. Our climate just demands that we consume yogurt. A cool glass of chaas during summer is just so perfect.

Then there is its nutritional importance, its probiotic benefits. Yogurt, especially home-made ones, which have no additives and preservatives or sweeteners, contain beneficial bacteria which aid in digestion and gut health by balancing the microbiome. This in turn helps build a strong immunity system. Probiotics create a gut barrier, improving the gut lining and preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream, the root cause of a lot of ailments, especially allergies which just seem to pop up!

Full of nutrients, yogurt is also a good source of calcium, protein, potassium and B vitamins. The live cultures, microorganisms present in yogurt, make it easy for those who are lactose intolerant and can’t drink milk, so necessary for calcium intake.

The protein in yogurt contains the complete spectrum. All nine essential amino acids, great for muscle repair. Also, the protein promotes satiety, a feeling of fullness, which can help reduce overall calorie intake helping you keep a check on your weight. Think of it, one big glass of lassi and the feeling of fullness and happiness on a hot summer day is so complete you don't need any lunch!

There are more benefits… The high calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D present in yogurt helps build and maintain strong bones, overcoming the risk of osteoporosis.

There are different kinds of yogurt; ones made from normal cow’s milk, creamy and rich ones made from buffalo milk, thick, rich hung curd, low fat ones made from skimmed milk... It’s the last mentioned that could help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Some studies even prove that regular consumption of this low-fat yogurt is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.

If all this isn’t sufficient, yogurt also plays a big role in your beauty factor. Good hair, good skin! The lactic acid content in yogurt exfoliates and moisturises.

Yogurt is a powerhouse ingredient, for sure. What more can we ask of it? Not much. But UpperCrust is around to help you eat it in ways different from the usual. Check out the recipes in the following pages. Very different. Especially the Russian Okroshka. Although we couldn’t resist throwing in one good one for the good old kadhi, a perennial favourite with every Indian, anywhere in the country. The amazing concoction is made differently in every state of India. We love the light Gujarati one the best. That is when we are not eating the Punjabi one with its spicy tadka and amazing balls of fire, the onion pakodas soaking within. Ah, kadhi-chawal, come summer or rain.

Cold Cucumber Soup Recipe	Cold Yogurt Soup Recipe	Butternut Squash in Garlic Yugurt Recipe
Okroshka Recipe	Gujarati Kadhi Recipe	Greek Yugurt with Berries Recipe