What you need to know about the health benefits of buttermilk and its probiotics
Fermented foods are considered natural probiotics because they are a rich source of good gut bacteria.
Drinking buttermilk can promote good health: the benefits are amazing.
Fermented foods are generally considered a better choice than raw vegetables because of the presence of lactic acid bacteria, which is known to be the most effective neutraliser of all other bacteria.
The origins of buttermilk
It is a fermented milk product.
It is the by-product of churning milk to make butter.
It is also called "buttermilk", which is a yoghurt-based drink containing live cultures of lactic acid bacteria.
Because it is a dairy product, buttermilk contains lactose, but the fermentation process means that the lactose content is much lower.
If you are lactose intolerant, try drinking buttermilk and see how it affects your system.
How is buttermilk a probiotic?
If you plan to use naturally fermented foods as a source of probiotics in your daily diet, it is important to choose a fermented food that is readily available.
Buttermilk is a fermented food that contains live cultures of bacteria and is available in most supermarkets.
Fermented foods are considered natural probiotics because they are a rich source of good gut bacteria.
The live cultures of lactic acid bacteria found in buttermilk help maintain the balance of harmful and healthy bacteria in the gut microbiome, supporting your immune system.
It really is an excellent source of probiotics.
Nutritional benefits of buttermilk
One cup of buttermilk contains
- Nutrition: 152 calories
- Calcium: 284 milligrams
- Cholesterol: 2.2 grams
- Protein: 10 grams
- Fats: 8.1 grams
- Carbohydrates: 12 grams
- Sodium: 0.3 grams
Indications
This milk helps digestion and cleanses the stomach because of the acid it contains.
Its regular consumption helps reduce the incidence of various stomach ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome, stomach infections, irregular stools, lactose intolerance and colon cancer.
This drink also soothes the stomach lining and cools the body's digestive tract, thus reducing body heat.
High blood pressure is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease.
Research shows that drinking buttermilk reduces both systolic and mean blood pressure.
This benefit of buttermilk is due to the milk fat globule membrane found in this fermented beverage.
The gut is considered the second brain in humans because of the interactions between the brain and the gut.
In other words, if the brain can affect the gut microbes, then the gut microbes can affect your brain.
Maintaining a balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut has also been linked to boosting your immune system, regulating your metabolism and improving your mood.
One of the easiest ways to keep your gut microbes in balance is to include fermented foods like buttermilk in your diet.
How to consume it?
Buttermilk is a fermented drink that promotes intestinal health, which translates into a healthy immune system.
Here are some ways to consume buttermilk.
Bakery buttermilk
Buttermilk is often used in baking because of its special properties.
Many people use buttermilk in baking because it adds a pleasant flavour to cakes, breads, cookies, pancakes or salad dressings.
Because this rich-tasting milk is a sour ingredient, like yoghurt and heavy cream, it gives baked goods a smoother texture and more body, and helps bread rise quickly.
However, cultured buttermilk contains probiotic bacteria, which are most beneficial when eaten alive.
Cooking over high heat kills the good bacteria.
Cultured buttermilk can be eaten straight as yoghurt and is great for smoothies.
Fermented Buttermilk Recipe
There are several ways to make cultured buttermilk.
Most people use raw milk for its superior flavour and health benefits.
But you can also buy commercial buttermilk and add beneficial bacteria to make a delicious drinking yoghurt.
- Add a starter culture to start the fermentation process.
- Add some fresh milk, which will add sugars that the bacteria will consume to make lactic acid.
- Leave the buttermilk to stand at room temperature for about 18 to 24 hours.
- In cold climates, place the bowl near a heater. Don't leave the buttermilk at room temperature for too long, or it will become too tangy and sour.
- After 6pm, taste to see if it is to your liking.
- If all is well, simply refrigerate.
- Fermented buttermilk will keep in the fridge for about five days.