You’ve probably heard that old saying before, but maybe you didn’t know that it actually has some scientific backing. A recent study showed that people who ate yogurt every day were less likely to develop diabetes and heart disease.
Now, if you’re like me, you might be thinking “but I can’t eat dairy, so how will I get my daily dose of yogurt?” Never fear, my lactose-intolerant friends, there are plenty of options for dairy-free yogurt out there. But does dairy free yogurt have probiotics? Are they actually healthy for you? Let’s take a closer look.
What are probiotics:
- Probiotics are live microorganisms, typically bacteria, that resemble the ones already in our gut.
- Dairy-free yogurts are made with plant-based milk like soy, almond, or coconut milk, and are often fortified with vitamins and minerals. So far so good, right?
What makes a dairy-free yogurt a good one
- The yogurt should be made with plant-based milk.
- The yogurt should be thick and creamy.
- The yogurt should be free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
- The yogurt should be high in protein and calcium.
But do they have probiotics?
The answer is maybe. While dairy-free yogurts don’t naturally contain probiotics as their dairy-filled counterparts do, some brands do add them in during the fermentation process. However, the amount of probiotics in these yogurts is usually much lower than the amount found in traditional yogurts.
And even if a dairy-free yogurt does have probiotics, there’s no guarantee that they’ll survive the journey through your digestive system—after all, these little buggers are delicate creatures.
Benefits of dairy-free yogurt with probiotics
1. Fewer Pesticides
One of the primary benefits of organic foods is that they contain fewer pesticides. Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill insects or other organisms that may harm crops.
While pesticides can help to increase crop yields, they can also be harmful to human health. Numerous studies have linked exposure to pesticides to a variety of health problems, including cancer, reproductive issues, and neurological problems.
2. More Nutritious
Organic foods have also been shown to be more nutritious than non-organic foods. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that organic fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of vitamins and minerals than their non-organic counterparts.
The study also found that organic foods contain higher levels of antioxidants, which are beneficial compounds that can help to protect the body against disease.
3. Better for the Environment
- Organic farming practices are also better for the environment than traditional farming practices. Organic farmers use methods such as crop rotation and cover crops to improve soil health, which helps to reduce water pollution and soil erosion.
- Additionally, organic farmers often use less energy than conventional farmers as they do not rely on synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, which require a great deal of energy to produce.
Conclusion:
So should you ditch your trusty tub of dairy-free yogurt in favor of its probiotic-rich counterpart? Not necessarily. While it’s true that traditional yogurts have more probiotics than their vegan counterparts, that doesn’t mean that dairy-free yogurts don’t have any health benefits at all.
Dairy-free yogurts are still a good source of calcium and vitamin D and can be a helpful addition to a well-rounded diet. So go ahead and enjoy your favorite flavor of dairy-free yogurt—just don’t expect it to work miracles.