Regular use of yogurt, at least two cups per week, is suggested to help lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Although there has been some scientific research to support this idea, it is now thought to have minimal proof.
A significant player in the yoghurt industry, Danone, is overjoyed by this news. Head of Corporate Affairs at Danone Southern Africa and certified dietitian Leanne Keizer remarked, “It’s a big step forward for yoghurt and all fermented dairy products.”
Keizer says that Danone’s mission has always been to advance health via nutrition, particularly in the case of dairy products that include live cultures. The business is dedicated to educating consumers about the health benefits of including yogurt in their diets.
Keizer continued, “This new FDA endorsement shows that there are actual benefits to eating yoghurt.”
A startling 12% of adults in South Africa suffer from diabetes, placing a heavy financial strain on the country’s healthcare system—costs have reached R2.7 billion.
A 2023 study clarifies the situation by showing that among the 4.58 million South Africans between the ages of 20 and 79 who were predicted to have diabetes in 2019, over half, or precisely 52.4%, were not aware that they had the disease.
This suggests that there is a significant divide in the population’s diagnosis and awareness.
Moreover, according to a National Library of Medicine report, South Africa has the second-highest percentage of people with Type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa.
This specific type of diabetes is strongly correlated with lifestyle decisions, such as diet and general nutrition. This emphasizes how important it is to modify one’s lifestyle and raise awareness as crucial tactics for controlling and possibly even lowering the nation’s diabetes pandemic.
Numerous households in South Africa are struggling to pay for what is seen as a basic, acceptable, and nutritious meal due to the country’s chronic food crisis.
In addition, Keizer said that yoghurt is an easily accessed, nutrient-dense meal that offers live cultures to support gut health, necessary daily nutrition, and a lower chance of acquiring chronic lifestyle diseases like Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
A recently published study emphasizes the various health advantages of include yogurt in a regular diet and stresses how important it is for fulfilling dietary requirements for important nutrients like calcium and protein.
Experts note that because yogurt includes live cultures, consuming it on a daily basis is essential to improving intestinal health.
This has been connected to a number of important long-term health benefits, including better digestion, a more robust immune system, and a lower risk of weight gain and chronic illnesses including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Keizer provided insight into the wider lifestyle choices of yoghurt users, saying that “people who regularly include yoghurt in their diets tend to have a higher quality of diet, engage more in physical activities, drink less alcohol, and are less prone to smoking.”
Health activists have praised the FDA’s announcement and suggested that yogurt be a mainstay in South African diets. This proposal seeks to promote improvements in total holistic health in addition to addressing Type 2 diabetes.
It all boils down to making deliberate choices where one weighs the value of a food item by taking its nutrient density into account. Everyone can eat healthily if they adopt this mentality. Your immune system, stomach, and general well-being would all appreciate it, said Keizer.
Here are a few ideas for including yogurt in your regular meals and snacks:
Sauces and Dips
To make dips for vegetables, pita bread, or chips, combine yoghurt with herbs and spices. Use it as a foundation for sauces that you want to pour over foods like grilled fish, chicken, or veggies.
Dressings
To make a creamy salad dressing, whisk yoghurt, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper together. For added flavor, you can also add herbs and mustard.
Frozen Confections
To create frozen yogurt at home, freeze it with fruits or honey. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds as well for a nutritious, refreshing snack.
Making Baking
Yogurt can be used in place of oil or butter in recipes for muffins, cakes, and bread to enhance moisture and cut fat. It performs admirably in waffle and pancake batters as well.
Cooking
Yogurt can be used to soften meats in marinades or to give smoothness to soups and curries without using a lot of heavy cream.