Yogurt : Roles in Nutrition and Impacts on Health

Yogurt is a fermented food that has existed for centuries with bioactive properties that have long been thought to be beneficial to health. The first commercial yogurts, sold over a hundred years ago in pharmacies, were recommended to treat digestive disorders. Yogurt: Roles in Nutrition and Impacts on Health compiles the scientific research to date into a comprehensive reference book that explores yogurt's role in diet and health, its composition in micro- and macronutrients, and the potential mechanisms underlying its health benefits. Yogurt’s composition as a unique blend of macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and ferments makes yogurt a nutrient-dense food that is included by health authorities in food-based dietary guidelines. This book shows how regular yogurt consumption contributes to the intake of key nutrients, such as calcium and protein, and is associated with healthy dietary patterns and lifestyles. The authors review the current evidence linking yogurt consumption to cardiometabolic health and other health conditions, including its established benefits in lactose digestion, its promising role in the prevention of weight management and type 2 diabetes, and its potential impact on cardiometabolic risk factors. This reference book is a key resource for nutrition scientists, dairy researchers, dietitians, health professionals, and educational institutions looking for a state-of-the-art review of the scientific evidence on the role of yogurt in nutrition and health.