Ayran: composition, beneficial properties, how to cook and drink

Dairy products - an indispensable component of any person's diet, as the benefits combined with a subtle taste is considered its main advantage. There are different kinds: cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir, sourdough, sourdough, whey, ayran and more. Some products were invented by our descendants living in the time of ancient Russia, and some were borrowed from abroad. Ayran is a traditional Caucasian dairy product, which is popular in our country because of its taste and benefits.

What is ayran

Ayran is a kind of sour-milk products, which appeared in the Caucasus and has been popular for more than 15 centuries, due to which it has become a traditional drink. The recipe has been handed down from generation to generation, which is why ayran is popular all over the world.

In its time, the drink was invented by Turkic nomadic peoples, who spent a long time in campaigns, so they had to constantly experiment to derive the perfect recipe for a product that can quench thirst, while adjusting the work of the digestive system. In the composition there are only biologically active substances belonging to the category of lactic bacteria, so ayran has a "live" composition, which has a positive effect on the work of internal organs.

How to drink ayran correctly

The main advantage of ayran is that it combines perfectly with most of the products stored in the refrigerator. Therefore it can be consumed together with meat, fish, boiled or fried dishes. And also the combination of ayran with fresh vegetables is very popular. Such a variety in terms of methods of use is justified by its easy digestibility and ability to reduce the heaviness of fatty or fried dishes.

It is recommended to drink 2-3 glasses of drink a day, so that the body gets the right amount of energy and strength for the normal functioning of internal organs. But you should not drink too much ayran, because it can cause a strong laxative effect, which negatively affects the overall condition of the body.

Composition and calories

The main benefit of sour-milk drink is a high concentration of vitamins, trace elements and useful substances, which normalizes the work of internal organs. A quality product necessarily contains:

• Natural sour milk bacteria.
• Magnesium, sodium, zinc, iron and other elements.
• Sulfur, potassium and iodine.
• B vitamins, including B6, B12, which are not easily obtained from food.
• Vitamins RR and H.
• Vitamins A, E, C.

In combination, this is a multicomplex of substances, thanks to which drinking ayran is not only pleasant because of its taste, but also very useful.

Calories depend on the variety of ayran, so it is important to consider everything individually to get an accurate picture of the benefits and tolerability. A thick drink can contain up to 67 calories, but the nutritional value of the liquid product is no more than 25. The total nutritional value is 1.1 g of protein, 1.4 g of carbohydrates and 1.5 g of fat. Therefore, the sour-milk product can be rightly attributed to the dietary products, which are useful for weight loss.

What is useful for ayran

The usefulness of ayran is great, since a special manufacturing technology and the use of only safe products as part of an important positive qualities.

The body benefits from the use of ayran in the diet:

1. Has a favorable effect on the stomach and digestive system by normalizing the microflora.
2. It has a mild anti-inflammatory effect.
3. It strengthens the walls of blood vessels, which normalizes the overall condition of the body.
4. The body receives a sufficient amount of oxygen, so the internal organs and systems begin to work properly.

The benefits for men, women, children and pregnant women are noted separately, thanks to which the product can be classified as universal.

For women

During the critical days, many women suffer from gastrointestinal problems, so for the normalization of digestion is suitable ayran, as it reduces inflammation and improves the overall condition. Practice shows that it improves the overall psycho-emotional state and relieves the feeling of severe fatigue.

For men

Due to the fact that the product contains a large concentration of vitamin C and lactic bacteria, the general state of health improves and the hangover syndrome is relieved, so when drinking ayran regularly you can avoid intoxication, since the body constantly retains a large number of useful substances.

Another no less important advantage of ayran for men is considered a positive impact on "male" health, but you should not abuse the product, because then the gastrointestinal tract is disturbed and there is a possibility of constipation or diarrhea.

When pregnant

For pregnant women, the product is also very useful, because it contains only natural substances and lactic bacteria:

1. The body is supplied with the necessary amount of calcium.
2. Constipation or diarrhea is eliminated due to the normalization of intestinal microflora.
3. Swelling is alleviated, as the kidney system is normalized.
4. Strengthening the immune system - the ideal solution to prevent the occurrence of colds and viral infections.

Pay attention! It is important to know a measure in the consumption of ayran. In the first trimester it is recommended to drink no more than 400 ml of the product a day, and in the second and third trimesters the total amount should not exceed 2-3 glasses a day.

But pregnant women often suffer from heartburn because of increased acidity, because the period of childbirth is a great strain on the body, so you need to pay attention to your well-being. Additionally, it will not be superfluous to consult with the attending doctor.

For Kids

Due to the fact that ayran is an extremely useful product, it can be introduced into the diet of children from 6 months. But it is allowed no more than 200 ml per day, so as not to upset the gastrointestinal tract and not to disrupt the overall condition.

Important! Initially, it is necessary to consult with the attending pediatrician, who, after a detailed examination of the child, will tell whether it is possible to introduce him into the diet of ayran.

If a child does not want to drink ayran in its pure form, you can additionally add your favorite spices or vegetables, such as dill or cucumber, then the main flavor notes are interrupted and the drink is more pleasant to drink.

Airan for weight loss: benefits and uses

The diet for weight loss contains many restrictions, because a person counts calories in detail and monitors his overall condition, so it is important to prevent the appearance of excess weight with the wrong products. Ayran belongs to the most dietary products of the sour-milk category, because it does not contain additives that could increase the overall energy value of the drink. But it is not recommended to consume it in large quantities, it can provoke a strong appetite, which will lead to overeating and gaining extra weight.

It is recommended to introduce no more than 200 ml of ayran into your diet, which will perfectly replace the second breakfast or an afternoon snack, saturating the body with a mass of useful micro- and macroelements.

You can prepare nutritious cocktails based on ayran, use it as a salad dressing, as well as create tasty marinades for meat or fish without fear of exceeding acceptable daily caloric intake. But it is important to note that for the purpose of weight loss, only liquid ayran is suitable, because it has fewer calories, and therefore it is much more useful for the body.

Ayran in medicine

In the Caucasus, ayran is considered the drink of long-livers, as it is created from natural products, eases the course of diseases and helps to normalize the body. Doctors note the benefits of ayran for a variety of problems:

• for colds and viral diseases;
• diabetes and liver problems:
• overweight;
• anemia;
• high blood pressure;
• pulmonary diseases.

Important! Include in the diet ayran can be only after the examination and consultation of a doctor, because only in this way is prevented the emergence of adverse reactions.

Diabetes mellitus

With high sugar is allowed to drink ayran, but the daily rate should not exceed 200 ml, otherwise an adverse reaction may occur.

Important: The glycemic index of ayran from 15 to 20 units.

In pancreatitis.

Due to the saturated composition of the sour-milk product, the effect of its reception is maximum. This helps to restore the normal functioning of the body. Given the fact that due to the anti-inflammatory effect, the irritation of the pancreas is eliminated, the product will be very useful in chronic pancreatitis.

Important! It is not recommended to drink ayran during an exacerbation of pancreatitis, it may cause the appearance of adverse reactions in the form of additional pain and cramps.

Gastritis

Soothing and anti-inflammatory effect is the main advantage of ayran, so when gastritis it allows to eliminate irritation of the stomach surface, thereby improving the overall condition. But it is important to consult a gastroenterologist beforehand to assess the current state of the intestines and stomach in order to avoid the appearance of adverse reactions in the form of worsening.

For the intestines

Milk bacteria are important intestinal assistants, responsible for the normal functioning of this organ, so regular consumption of ayran helps prevent constipation, diarrhea or pain in the gastrointestinal area. But it is important not to abuse the product, exceeding the acceptable daily rate can provoke the opposite reaction, bringing harm to the body.

For constipation

Ayran contains lactic bacteria in its composition, so the intestinal walls soften, which contributes to the rapid removal of toxins and organic products of the body, so the body more easily copes with emptying without harming the overall condition.

When poisoned

Poisoning with spoiled products is difficult for the body, because the digestive system can not cope with such loads. It is recommended that during the first twenty-four hours after poisoning you should refrain from eating and drink only fermented milk products. This allows the absorption of all the toxins, so that they are more easily eliminated from the body, eliminating the symptoms of poisoning.

In case of heartburn

Ayran is a dairy product with a rich composition, but due to the fact that it contains a kind of acid, it is not always useful for heartburn, so it is important to individually consider the situation and, as strange as it may sound, listen to your body to understand whether ayran is harmful or helpful.

Ayran in cosmetology

The fermented milk product is popular not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology, as it is considered a natural substance with many positive qualities. At home on its basis you can create masks, tonics and scrubs for the skin, hair. The product gives a small whitening effect, which ensures an attractive and fresh appearance.

For face

For facial skin, ayran is useful due to its ability to relieve inflammation and normalize the color, so it eliminates blueness and grayness of the skin, which is considered an important advantage. But to do such a mask should be done once a week, because only regularity can achieve the desired effect and maintain the result.

For Hair

For the hair, ayran is good because it nourishes the structure of the hair and the bulbs, so the blood circulation is normalized, which allows to quickly grow lush and healthy locks. It is possible to prepare nourishing masks based on ayran, egg yolk and favorite oils for hair. There are recipes for masks that eliminate greasy hair, so for the owners of not fluffy hair this version of cosmetics will be the most useful.

Recipes are presented in a wide range, as versatility combined with effectiveness are the key advantages of the product, which became the basis for its popularity not only in cooking, but also in cosmetology.

Harm and contraindications

Despite all the benefits of ayran, it has certain contraindications and can cause harm. Careful consideration of the side effects of the fermented milk product can prevent the emergence of health and well-being problems.

Important! The benefits of ayran are preserved only for the first day after opening the corked bottle, so it is recommended to buy the product in small portions as you consume it.

The main contraindications to the intake of ayran are:

• Acute peptic ulcer.
• Increased acidity.
• Exacerbation of gastritis.

And it is also recommended to control the amount of product consumed, because a common adverse reaction is considered the appearance of gastrointestinal disorder, which is fraught with many medical problems.

How to choose and store ayran

Ayran is available on the shelves of supermarkets in a wide range, so the obvious problem for most buyers is the choice, because it is not so easy to choose a product that can bring benefit. Given the fact that ayran refers to the special fermented dairy products with special requirements in terms of storage and use, it is important to take into account certain criteria when choosing:

1. This sour-milk product must have a "clean" taste, which means that we should feel only the salt, but not the colors, spices or additives, because this is a completely different beverage. Some producers neglect the rules of ayran production, so we feel an unpleasant aftertaste, which is not typical of a true Caucasian drink.
2. The milk used as part of ayran should be real, not dried, as the canned product is not useful and can even cause adverse reactions of the body.
3. Even if a liquid form of ayran is purchased, it should be non-uniform in consistency, and if the product does not have additional clots or small lumps in the structure, it means that the basic technological rules were violated.
4. A quality drink has a white color without additional shades, and when poured into a glass, it foams a little.

Important! Natural ayran can be purchased only in special stores, which additionally provide certificates for products, or you can make it yourself.

But it is not enough to buy the product and expect its great benefits, it is important to store it correctly to avoid infringement of the composition.

Home-made ayran can be stored in the fridge for only one day, but the store-produced ayran can be stored as long as it is specified in the instructions. Why after opening the product can usually be stored for only one day? The fact is that after that the molecular composition is disturbed and the fermentation process begins, which is fraught with poisoning.

But it is important to remember that high-quality natural ayran can not have a long shelf life, so the best solution is to use "short-lived" products, as they are the safest and most useful.

How to make ayran at home

It is not necessary to buy store ayran, as the simplicity of preparation allows you to constantly please your household with a tasty fermented milk product. To make ayran yourself it is necessary to take into account the following rules:

1. Goat or sheep milk or even sour milk can be taken as a base. Then the product is brought to a boil to change the structure.
2. Then fermented milk is added to the warm milk in an amount not exceeding 40 grams per glass of preparation, in order to obtain the desired consistency. And if you want to depart from the classics and diversify the taste a little, you can chop fresh or salted cucumber or herbs, which are pre-scalded to remove excess moisture.
3. Then the preparation is thoroughly mixed and left in a warm place under a tight lid for 7 hours, but it is important to avoid direct sunlight, as this will lead to product fermentation.

The preparation process is simple and straightforward for any housewife, but it is recommended to pay attention to the choice of sourdough, as a low-quality product can turn into many inconveniences. It is best to choose it in special stores or pharmacies, where the quality and usefulness is guaranteed.

Interesting facts about ayran

Ayran is not just a traditional Caucasian drink, but also a kind of cultural achievement, so there are a lot of useful and interesting facts that allow us to diversify how the sour-milk product appeared, how it developed and what are its benefits.

1. The ancient Caucasian people used ayran as a drink to quench their thirst, since they had to be on long marches where there was no opportunity to drink clean water.
2. Due to the effect of fermentation in the preparation of the product there is an opportunity to "speed up" the circulatory system, normalizing the work of blood vessels and veins, so the ancient peoples used ayran as a preventive measure against heart disease. In those times there was no knowledge about cholesterol, strokes and heart attacks, which can be easily prevented by thinning the blood, so people believed that ayran is a special medicine.
3. Despite the fact that ayran is a kind of fermented milk product, each organism reacts to it individually, so there were often situations when the drink gave a completely opposite reaction. In ancient times it was believed that if the human body does not accept ayran, it means that he has a dirty aura.

Modern manufacturers of dairy products, including ayran, are working hard to improve the technology, so in addition to the standard form of the drink, one can find unusual options with the addition of dill, fresh or pickled cucumber. But it's important to note that the benefits will be achieved only if you use a natural product that has been prepared with the observance of the technology of manufacture, so it's best to pay attention to well-known manufacturers who guarantee the quality of their products. Proper intake and storage - the key to excellent health and the prevention of various intestinal diseases!

Photo of ayran