Smoothy Slim
Photo by Anna Shvets Pexels Logo Photo: Anna Shvets

Is Yogurt good for the liver?

Yogurt is one of the best natural sources of probiotics which, scientists believe, may lower fat levels in the liver, reduce liver damage, and regulate fats in the blood.

What fruit is good for adrenal glands?
What fruit is good for adrenal glands?

Fruit is an essential part of an adrenal fatigue diet and some can actually help lower your cortisol levels. Some of the best fruits for this...

Read More »
Can I drink beetroot raw?
Can I drink beetroot raw?

People can experience the health benefits of beetroots by eating them raw or cooked or by drinking beetroot juice. Juiced beets contain many...

Read More »
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

It’s a hidden hazard that many of us haven’t even heard of but fatty liver disease can creep up on you unawares and, before you know it, cause serious damage to this vital organ. Not related to drinking alcohol, the abnormal build-up of fat in the liver can also lead to other health problems such as heart attack and stroke. And doctors are concerned because non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming increasingly common. The good news is that gut-friendly bacteria – probiotics – have shown benefits against NAFLD. And now this latest large-scale study from China suggests that if you regularly enjoy a pot of yogurt, you’re likely to have a healthier liver than people who don’t eat yogurt.

Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics

No specific treatments exist for NAFLD, but getting plenty of exercise and eating a healthy diet can help. Yogurt is one of the best natural sources of probiotics which, scientists believe, may lower fat levels in the liver, reduce liver damage, and regulate fats in the blood. In a move to find out more about whether eating yogurt might be associated with limiting the development of NAFLD, the authors of this study investigated the yogurt-eating habits of 24,389 people in China. All were adults who completed a questionnaire about their lifestyle and diet. The participants had an ultrasound examination of their abdomen so that doctors could see whether they had NAFLD.

Yogurt-eaters tended to be healthier

People who frequently ate yogurt tended to be younger, were more likely to be women, and were less likely to be overweight than people who ate little or no yogurt. They also had healthier levels of fats in their bloodstream and lower blood pressure, did more exercise, and were less likely to smoke or drink alcohol than those who don’t eat yogurt. People with NAFLD tended to be older, were more often men, and were more likely to be overweight than people without the condition. They also had less healthy levels of fats in their bloodstream, higher blood pressure, and were more likely to smoke and to have drunk alcohol. ‘Fortunately, lifestyle modification (including diet and exercise) is beneficial for the prevention of NAFLD.’ – Zhang et al, 2019.

Which fruit is good for visceral fat?
Which fruit is good for visceral fat?

Pineapple and Papaya: These two tropical fruits contain the enzyme bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties and shrinks belly fat. Sep 12,...

Read More »
Does fiber help with joint pain?
Does fiber help with joint pain?

Eating a high-fiber diet that includes plenty of nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains can yield many rewards. It might...

Read More »
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Higher yogurt consumption was associated with less NAFLD

When the yogurt-eating and NAFLD data were analysed, the authors adjusted the results to take into account differences in age, sex and whether participants were obese or overweight. This meant that the effects of yogurt on NAFLD could be seen more clearly. People who ate yogurt 2–3 times each week had an 8% lower risk of developing NAFLD than those eating less than one serving of yogurt per week. The risk fell even more (14%) in people who ate yogurt at least 4 times per week. ‘The main findings of the present study were that higher yogurt consumption was dose-dependently associated with a lower prevalence of newly diagnosed NAFLD.’ – Zhang et al, 2019. These findings need to be confirmed by large clinical studies before firm conclusions can be drawn, say the authors. How yogurt might affect the development of NAFLD is so far unknown. Probiotics in yogurt have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and immune-modulating activity which might help to reduce the risk of NAFLD. Yogurt is rich in calcium, which has been associated with increased breakdown of fats in the body. Yogurt is also linked to healthy eating habits, and a healthier overall diet may partly explain the association seen in this study, say the authors.

Find out more: read the original article.

Source: Zhang S, Fu J, Zhang Q et al. Association between habitual yogurt consumption and newly diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2019 Sep 2.

How can I tell my liver is failing?
How can I tell my liver is failing?

Acute liver failure can develop quickly in an otherwise healthy person, and it is life-threatening. If you or someone you know suddenly develops a...

Read More »
What can I drink throughout the day to lose weight?
What can I drink throughout the day to lose weight?

The best drink for weight loss is water since it has zero calories and can keep you hydrated. Other weight loss drinks include coffee, green tea,...

Read More »
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »
What juice speeds up metabolism?
What juice speeds up metabolism?

The 8 Best Juices for Weight Loss Celery juice. Celery juice has recently become a popular ingredient among health-conscious consumers. ... Beet...

Read More »
Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat
Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »
Is sprout hard to digest?
Is sprout hard to digest?

Effects of consuming sprouts: They are extremely hard to digest especially for people having vata dosha. Sprouting increases the concentration of...

Read More »