7 Side Effects of Consuming Too Much Yogurt

Yoghurt is a refrigerator staple due to its versatility. There are so many types and flavours to create so many dishes, whether you like to add a scoop to granola, pair it with fruit, or prefer to go the savoury route with a dollop as a sour cream substitute.

While most of us are aware of the fun ways to use yoghurt in recipes, we may be less familiar with how yoghurt can affect health and nutrition levels. According to this eating, yoghurt can have both positive and negative effects that may surprise you. Here are seven side effects of eating Yogurt given in this article. 

It could help you lose weight:

"Some yoghurts, such as Greek yoghurt, have a high protein content per serving," says Amber Pankonin, MS, RD, registered dietitian and owner of the food blog Stylist. "High protein foods, such as Greek yoghurt, can help you feel fuller for longer, which may prevent you from snacking on other high-calorie foods throughout the day."

It promotes bone health:

"Some people do not get enough calcium each day, and others may only get a sip of dairy from their morning latte, or avoid dairy products due to a milk allergy, lactose intolerance, personal preference, or taste," says Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

"One cup of dairy-based yoghurt contains 30-45 per cent of the daily calcium requirement, promoting and supporting overall bone health. When shopping for nondairy yoghurt, look for options that are calcium and vitamin D fortified."

It may cause you to feel bloated or give you gas:

"Both regular yoghurt and Greek yoghurt contain a trace of lactose, which may be problematic for people who are lactose intolerant," Ehsani says. "Lactose is a milk sugar that is digested by the enzyme lactase. If you lack this enzyme, eating dairy foods may cause bloating and gas. If you are lactose intolerant, opt for Greek yoghurt, which contains less lactose than regular yoghurt."

Alternatively, go dairy-free! "There is good news for those with lactose intolerance, dairy allergies, or who are vegan: there are many varieties of non-dairy yoghurts now available to consumers, including cashew yoghurt, soy yoghurt, coconut yoghurt, and even oat yoghurt," says Ehsani. (However, she cautions that these types may be lower in protein.)

It Might Cause Unwanted Weight Gain:

"It depends on the brand and the portion you choose, but if you don't control your portions, this could lead to unwanted weight gain," Pankonin says. "Some brands can have a lot of calories, fat, and sugar, so read the nutrition facts label and choose the option with the least amount of sugar and the most protein."

It promotes a healthy digestive system:

"Some yoghurts on the market contain probiotics, which are live and active cultures.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help maintain a healthy digestive tract "Ehsani says "However, always read the label because some shelf yoghurts do not contain these cultures. For those who prefer non-dairy yoghurt alternatives, some varieties also include live and active cultures."

It may lower your chances of developing cardiovascular disease:

"Yogurt contains nutrients such as protein and minerals such as calcium and potassium that are beneficial to your heart and blood pressure," says Pankonin. A 2018 study discovered that consuming more yoghurt was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

It may help to maintain a healthy immune system:

"Yogurt contains probiotics, which are known to help balance the gut microbiome, which does play a role in immune health," Pankonin explains. "According to some studies, probiotics can help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and may even help with cold prevention."