Do you have the habit of skipping buttermilk in your meals? Tempted by fast foods and other junk, we at times tend to take ‘real foods’ for granted, don’t we? This post talks about buttermilk and it’s many miraculous benefits! Read on to know what they are!
Buttermilk is not a blend of milk and butter. It is a derivative of the butter mixing process. Found in most Indian households and drunk daily – either by itself or after a meal, buttermilk is prepared using a few spoons of natural yogurt mixed with water and blended well. Often some spices such as cumin powder, pepper, ginger, green chillies, curry leaves and coriander leaves are crushed and added to the mixture to enhance its taste and therapeutic benefits.
The drink is often consumed in Indian households as a digestive or during summer months to keep the body cool. It is definitely a refreshing drink to have. Buttermilk is also known as ‘Chaas’ or ‘Chaach’ in Hindi, ‘Majjiga’ in Telugu, ‘Neer Mooru’ in Tamil, ‘Morum Vellum’ in Malayalam, ‘Majjige Huli in Kannada, ‘Chasa’ in Gujarati, ‘Thaak’ in Marathi, and ‘Ghola’ in Bengali.
In Ayurveda, buttermilk is used both to maintain health and as a treatment against diseases. There are reasons behind these uses of buttermilk for health. It is easy to digest, has astringent properties and a sour taste. It improves digestion and alleviates the feeling of puffiness. It is a natural treatment against swelling, irritation and digestive disorders, gastrointestinal ailments, spleen maladies, anaemia and lack of appetite.
As the starting material – milk is available in several varieties; buttermilk prepared from natural yogurt is of four types with specific actions. Buttermilk made of full cream yogurt with added sugar calms the digestive tract and is wholesome in nature. It is very similar to natural yogurt in its attributes. No cream buttermilk calms the feeling of bloating and is good for diabetics or those seeking to lose weight. Buttermilk with half proportion of water improves power and digestion. No fat buttermilk is naturally cooling and reduces tiredness. Now, let’s move on to the benefits of butter milk!
Buttermilk is a complete food. It is nutritive and contains all the elements necessary for a good balanced diet. It has proteins, carbohydrates, minimal lipids, vitamins and essential enzymes and makes for a complete meal anywhere, anytime. It should be included in all diets and be consumed daily. As over 90 percent of buttermilk is water, its consumption helps to maintain the water balance of the body. It is absorbed slowly from the intestines as its contents are mostly combined with proteins. It is better to drink buttermilk than any other flavored drink or just plain water. Fermented buttermilk is sour to taste, but biologically is very nutritive for the human body and tissues.
Buttermilk has a tendency to wash down spicy food and soothes the lining of the stomach when consumed after a piquant meal. The additives of ginger, cumin powder and other condiments also relieve the stomach of any irritation that may have been caused due to the food. Buttermilk is instrumental in reducing body heat. It is well-liked by women, both pre- and post-menopausal, as it reduces body heat and alleviates many symptoms these women suffer from. For those looking for reprieve from hot flashes, buttermilk is a great way to counterbalance these bothersome symptoms. Even men who have a high metabolic rate and body temperature can avail of the advantages of buttermilk to reduce body heat.
Feeling bloated after a heavy meal? A glass of buttermilk can make you feel a lot better. The ginger, cumin, coriander and other spices aid in improving digestion and ease you, thereby making you feel less over stuffed. Besides that, buttermilk is very efficient in washing down oils and fat, which line the inner walls of the food pipe and stomach. Usually after a rich and heavy meal, you will feel lazy and drowsy. However, a glass of buttermilk will rejuvenate you. You will begin to feel more agile right after consuming it.
Buttermilk has a fair amount of acid in it which works against bacteria and helps clear stomach and aids in digestion. All the condiments added to buttermilk make very good digestive agents. Ginger, pepper and cumin all make excellent digestive properties. As they are carminative substances, they expel gas from the stomach. Consumed together they have a cooling and digestive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. A preparation of buttermilk drunk regularly also helps gastrointestinal conditions. Some of the digestive ailments cured by buttermilk include:
Made from yogurt with added salt and spices, buttermilk is an effective therapy to prevent dehydration. It is full of electrolytes and is one of the best drinks to fight against the heat and loss of water from the body. In summer, it is truly a drink to relish. Hence buttermilk benefits in summer by reducing summer-related issues, such as prickly heat and general uneasiness.
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