Abuja – Mrs Aisha Abdullahi, a Nutritionist at Alpha Clinic, Dawaki in Abuja on Thursday, said yogurt was a good source of calcium and protein for young and elderly persons.
Abdullahi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that yogurt was rich in calcium and contributed to colon health.
She added that it helped to reduce the risk of developing colon cancer, noting that “yogurt is a balanced source of protein, calcium, fats, carbohydrates and minerals which both the young and elderly require for good health.’’
The nutritionist stressed that yogurt was also healthy for infants and children, adding that it contained less lactose and more of lactase, which was highly tolerated in the body.
She explained that the calcium in yoghurt binds cancer-producing bile acids, which kept them from irritating the corrupt wall of the colon.
“Yogurt aids healing after intestinal infections in both old and young.
“Moreover, people that consume diets high in calcium have lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.’’
The nutritionist said the lactic acid in yogurt aids in the digestion of milk calcium, thereby, making it easier for the body to absorb both in young and elderly persons.
“Lacto-bacteria in yogurt are friendly bacterium which helps to maintain healthy colon.
“The calcium in yogurt discourages excess growth of the cells lining the colon which helps in decreasing the risk of developing colon cancer.
“The bacterial cultures in yogurt also help to stimulate infection-fighting white cells in the blood stream and have anti-tumour effects.’’
Abdullahi said consuming yogurt helped to decrease the development of yeast infection.
“Yogurt consumption helps lower cholesterol, maintain intestinal health, overcome and prevent diarrhea, as well as typhoid and vomiting.’’
She emphasised that one of the benefits of protein in yoghurt was the prevention of anemia.
She admonished patients taking medications such as antibiotics to consume yogurt, saying it would minimise the effect of the drug on the friendly bacteria in the intestine.
The nutritionist also suggested daily intake of yogurt to prevent coronary heart disease and gastric cancer, among others, saying a glass of yogurt daily helped to maintain and build strong immune system.
