CURD : PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA

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Curd is a commonly used beverage known for its health benefits. It is made by fermenting milk. When it is prepared by controlled fermentation, it’s known as yogurt.

It is rich in live bacteria formed during fermentation, which is very beneficial for our body, especially for balancing our gut microbiome.

Ancient Ayurvedic literature mentions various drinks and their benefits. Curd is one among them. In the past, it was used not only as food but also as medicine.

Even today, people use it as a remedy for some ailments.
Here are some science-backed properties and benefits of curd mentioned in Ayurvedic literature.

1. EFFECT ON THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

  • Curd is said to improve one’s digestive strength (agni).
  • It is beneficial for diarrhea.
  • It can reduce the symptoms caused by Irritable bowel syndrome.
  • It helps cure anorexia.
  • Helps people suffering from lactose intolerance.

2. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES

Curd is considered to have anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of probiotics in it. It helps relieve the inflammation in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and candidiasis. It particularly helps with inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal and genito-urinary systems.

3. ATOPIC-RELATED DISORDERS

Curd is found to be beneficial in atopic-related disorders like allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, etc. Studies have shown that pediatric groups suffering from these diseases have shown remarkable improvement in the symptoms by including curd in their diet.

4. IMMUNITY-BOOSTING PROPERTIES

Curd increases one’s ability to fight infections and improves body strength(Bala). It also prevents the recurrence of infections like vaginal candidiasis, UTI, and stomach flu when consumed regularly.

5. GENITO-URINARY HEALTH

Due to the presence of probiotics curd can help fight many infections that affect the genito-urinary system. Especially in females because they are more prone to infections. Consuming it in UTI will help control the symptoms like dysuria and dehydration. It helps the growth of good bacteria in the genital tract that fights off fungal or bacterial infections and prevents them from returning.

6. EFFECT ON WEIGHT

Curd is beneficial for both weight gain and weight loss. Full-fat curd or yogurt can be added to the diet who desire to gain weight. In some cultures full-fat curd mixed with jaggery is consumed as a dessert and used for weight gain. It is also believed to impart strength to the body. On the other hand, low-fat curd will aid in weight loss. The high protein content and the feeling of fullness after consumption are good reasons to add low-fat curd or yogurt to your diet.

7. EFFECT ON FEVER

Curd is beneficial to consume during a fever, especially recurring fever. The probiotics will help in fighting the infection if any. The protein will impart energy. It also rehydrates the body and helps in lowering the body temperature. Regular consumption will increase immunity and therefore reduce the recurrence of the fever.

These are some of the proven properties of curd described in Ayurveda. As the field of science evolved more micro-level studies were done and we found more specific details about it such as its nutritional contents and values.

New studies indicate that curd is also useful for:

  • BONE HEALTH: The high calcium and vitamin D levels in curd impart strong and healthy bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
  • HEART HEALTH: Studies show that consuming fermented dairy products helps reduce blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels. It is recommended to be taken by patients with atherosclerosis.
  • SKIN HEALTH: Probiotics and nutrients in curd are good for the skin. Both consuming and external applications have been found beneficial.

All the above properties indicate that curd should be added to your diet. It is one of the cheap and easily available options for a healthy body.

CREDENTIALS:

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