Chilled buttermilk is a soothing drink for summers. It has innumerable health benefits as well. Traditional buttermilk is the residue left behind after milk cream is churned into butter. It can also be made by diluting and mixing water in curd. It is commonly known as ‘Chhaas’.
Commercially available cultured buttermilk is prepared by fermenting no-fat milk with bacteria that produce lactic acid. It is more viscous than traditional buttermilk.
# Natural Coolant for the Body:Buttermilk is amazingly refreshing and quickly cools down our body. A glass of buttermilk topped with cumin seeds, mint and salt, is well suited to quench our thirst and cool our body in the hot summer months from April to July.
It can also be topped with ice cubes and proves to be a good alternative to the chemical-laden cold drinks available in the market.
# Prevents Dehydration:Buttermilk is made using curd and water. It contains around 90 per cent of water and electrolyte like potassium.
Thus, buttermilk is effective in maintaining water balance in the body and prevents dehydration.
# Good for Our Digestive System:Buttermilk is a boon for our digestive system. Healthy bacteria and lactic acid in buttermilk help in digestion and improve our metabolism.
It also helps to maintain regular bowel movements and helps people who suffer from constipation. Buttermilk is also helpful in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
# Good for Bones & Teeth:Buttermilk is a good source of calcium. 100 ml of buttermilk contains around 116 mg of calcium.
Calcium is essential for a healthy skeletal system. It makes our bones and teeth strong. Calcium helps to prevent degenerative bone diseases like osteoporosis.
Calcium is also required for clotting of blood, contraction of muscles and beating of our heart.
# Relieves Acidity:Oily and spicy foods can often lead to acid reflux and cause heartburn. A glass of buttermilk topped with black pepper and coriander helps in instantly easing our symptoms of acidity.
# May Help to Lower Cholesterol Levels:Drinking buttermilk regularly helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and triglycerides. It thus helps to maintain cardiovascular health.
# May Reduce Blood Pressure :Regular consumption of buttermilk effectively reduces blood pressure and thus helps patients with hypertension and heart diseases. Potassium in buttermilk also reduces blood pressure.
# Good for Immunity:Drinking buttermilk every day strengthens our immune system and protects us from a variety of infections.
# Good for Our Skin:Probiotics in buttermilk keep our digestion proper and thus help in removing toxins from our body. The lactic acid in buttermilk is good for our skin.