Dairy products: what is it, useful properties, how to make

Perhaps every one of us knows from childhood that dairy and fermented dairy products are good for health. They are especially rich in calcium and vitamin D, which are so necessary bones. Sourdough is one of the healthiest dairy products, and people have known this since ancient times.

What is sour milk

Sourdough is a thick fermented dairy product that is made from milk and special beneficial bacteria. Its consistency is homogeneous, without any clumps and lumps, it has a creamy or white color, depending on the type has different flavors (preferably bland or sour). It is made both in factories on an industrial scale, and at home on their own, as the process is elementary simple.

Home fermented yogurt differs slightly from the factory one in terms of both its taste and its useful properties. Due to the fact that the homemade product is stored slightly less, the useful substances in it are more.

Types of

Today there are many varieties of sour milk, but there are a few types that serve as a so-called basis for the range:

• ordinary or homemade;
• Mechinkovskaya;
• ryazhenka;
• jam;
• southern;
• acidophilus.

The difference between these types lies in the type of bacteria used to ferment the milk itself, as well as the method of preparation.

What is the difference between kefir and yogurt?

Yogurt is a product of natural fermentation of natural milk under certain temperature conditions. But yogurt is produced exclusively in the production process in factories, because the milk is fermented by a special kefir fungus. It is a natural product, which is artificially planted in tanks with pasteurized milk. During such fermentation kefir fungus absorbs lactose, which is why this product can be used by people who are intolerant to this component. Absorption of lactose occurs because the process of alcoholic lactic fermentation begins when the kefir fungus enters the milk.

What is the difference between ryazhenka and sour milk

While sour milk is made on the basis of ordinary whole milk through natural fermentation, ryazhenka is a type of sour milk made on melted milk. In addition, heavy cream is added during preparation, which is why it is so rich in streptococci and bacillus. The color of ryazhenka is creamy-beige, and the flavor is slightly sweet, due to which it is very easy to distinguish it from yogurt. Despite such fatness, ryazhenka is a low-calorie product, and therefore it is considered a dietary product.

What is healthier: kefir or yogurt

Both of these products are equally useful, but they have slightly different purposes. Yogurt is often recommended to people who have digestive problems, as it is easily digestible and also helps to quickly digest food. Kefir, on the other hand, is needed more for quick recovery and support for normal intestinal function. In addition, it contains an optimal amount of vitamins and bacteria, and therefore it prevents the development of a pathogenic environment in the intestine. But sour milk, unlike kefir, can be safely drunk in many gastrointestinal diseases, it is especially useful for people with candidiasis and hyperacidity.

Composition and calories

Prokvasha, like most dairy products, has a very rich and rich chemical composition, which includes many useful vitamins, minerals and microorganisms, particularly bifidobacteria. The energy value of this product is unique because it is high in protein, healthy polyunsaturated fats and minimal complex carbohydrates. In addition, sour milk is rich in organic acids, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, B vitamins and vitally important mineral elements in the form of fluorine, potassium, magnesium, calcium, molybdenum and cobalt.

Due to such a rich composition, this product is considered dietary and is great for people who try to keep themselves in shape and monitor their health. Dairy yogurt is often used as the main product for days of dieting, as it is able to cleanse the body of excess cholesterol and other harmful substances and toxins. It has a positive effect and maximum stimulates the correct metabolism in the body. Due to the low fat content sour milk is considered a low calorie product.

Nutritional value of sour milk 3.2% (100 g):

• Calories - 59.3 kcal
• Protein - 2.9 g
• Fats - 3.2 g
• Carbohydrates - 4.1 g
• Dietary fiber - 0 g
• Water - 89 grams

What is the beneficial effect of sour milk

General benefits

The main benefit of sour milk is its positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract, improving digestion and intestinal peristalsis. It also helps to improve the metabolism in the body, and therefore is very useful during weight loss.

Very often doctors prescribe to drink sour milk to people who suffer from gastritis, colitis and other serious gastrointestinal problems, as it can improve the intestinal microflora, saturating it with beneficial bacteria and microorganisms. Milk will be indispensable for those people who are treated with antibiotics, as it normalizes the digestive process, restoring the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

Due to the high content of calcium and vitamin D, yogurt can also be drunk as a prophylactic for rickets and other diseases associated with calcium deficiency.

For women

The benefits of yogurt women know very long ago, and therefore actively use it not only for internal use, but also for external use. It is so valuable and unique that it can rejuvenate the female body both inside and outside. In addition to the fact that girls often drink yogurt while dieting, as it is very effective in helping to lose extra pounds, it is also very often used to make various face and hair care masks. Also, sour milk should be drunk to strengthen teeth and nails, as it is very rich in calcium and fluoride.

For men

Men can also benefit from drinking sour milk. It is a good source of healthy protein, which is essential for men both for muscle mass and muscles, as well as to improve their male health. Many folk medicine recipes say that a man is enough to drink a glass of yogurt a day in order to increase testosterone production and increase potency. Very useful this product to improve the quality of sperm.

When pregnant.

Thanks to its unique and rich useful composition, sour milk is highly recommended to be consumed by women during pregnancy. First of all, it is useful because it contains a lot of calcium, which is so necessary for the formation and favorable growth of all bones of the baby. And the future mother herself calcium is no less important, because her body during this period is very weakened because of childbirth, and therefore the bones become more fragile.

When breastfeeding

No less useful will be the consumption of sour milk after childbirth, during the period of breastfeeding the baby. First of all, it helps a woman's body as quickly as possible to recover and establish the natural metabolism, makes up for the deficiency of many vitamins and minerals, which during pregnancy the mother's body gave to the baby. Also sour milk helps to quickly create mother's milk, which is very helpful in the first month after childbirth.

For children

Sourdough is also incredibly useful for the growing child's body, because it is a good source of vitamins and minerals that are so necessary for a child. However, it is worth remembering that it is best to give children sour milk in its pure form, without any additives or preservatives. This product can be given to children from seven months. Despite the fact that sour milk is completely harmless and does not give a strong load on the stomach, to introduce it to the children's diet should be gradual, first of all, in order to assess the reaction of the child's body to this product.

When losing weight

As mentioned earlier, sour milk is very useful, because it contains many beneficial bacteria and trace elements. And they, in turn, have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora, improve digestion and normalize metabolism. In addition, sour milk is excellent for days of unloading, as it is low-calorie, it contains a lot of protein and useful polyunsaturated fats. You can lose up to one kilogram per day with the help of sour milk.

Yogurt in medicine

Yogurt is such a unique and useful product that it is not surprising that it is actively used for the treatment and prevention of many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. Due to the high content of polysaturated acids and calcium yogurt helps to clean and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Due to the large number of vitamins and minerals, it strengthens the immune system, so it is often recommended to take with a variety of colds.

Diabetes mellitus

Patients with diabetes are recommended daily use of this product, as it effectively cleanses the body. It can also be used to control weight and normalize metabolism, which is very good for diabetics. Since it contains no harmful carbohydrates, you can drink it completely safely, regardless of the type of disease.

Important: The glycemic index of sour milk is 25 units.

In pancreatitis

People who suffer from pancreatitis, it is possible to introduce sour milk into their diet, but you should do it very carefully, because it is saturated with a lot of lactic acid. It is recommended to drink this drink no more than two or three times a week, one glass. During an aggravation of the disease it is better to give up on sour milk.

With gastritis

With gastritis, sour milk is not only possible, but also necessary to have in your daily diet, because it has a positive effect on the peristalsis of the intestine and helps food to be digested more quickly. However, it is worth noting that not all types of sour milk are allowed to patients with gastritis. The best choice is ryazhenka or plain Mechinka sour milk, which do not contain preservatives and dyes.

For the intestines

As mentioned earlier, sour milk is the number one product for intestinal problems, because due to its unique composition it promotes rapid digestion and digestion of food. In addition, this product has a good effect on the internal intestinal microflora, saturating it with beneficial bifidobacteria and microorganisms.

For constipation

Dairy sour milk is a wonderful remedy for constipation due to its mild and effective laxative action. Due to the high content of B vitamins and minerals, it improves intestinal peristalsis, normalizes the gastrointestinal function and helps quickly eliminate from the body all unnecessary substances.

For Gout

Gout is a very insidious disease that is very difficult to fight. The main element for good health and condition of the body is a proper diet and a strict diet, and therefore sour milk in this case will be a real salvation for the microflora of the stomach and intestines. Due to the large number of beneficial bacteria in its composition it significantly improves the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract in gout.

For the liver

Dairy sourdough has remarkable anti-toxic and binding characteristics, and therefore its use with liver disease has a positive effect both on this organ and on the whole body. Due to the high content of beneficial bifidobacteria yogurt not only improves digestion, but also contributes to a more rapid removal from the body of harmful pathogens and bacteria, and thanks to its low caloric content prevents obesity of the liver.

Yogurt in cosmetology

In addition to its healing properties for the body, and in particular the gastrointestinal organs, yogurt is incredibly demanded and popular in cosmetology, because it has exceptional qualities. It can improve the condition of the skin, and gives strength and shine to weakened hair.

Hair masks from sour milk

1. Maksa for hair is best prepared from natural homemade sour milk, as it contains a greater number of useful substances. Before mixing this product with other ingredients (preferably honey and eggs), it is desirable to warm it slightly. Apply such a mask to dirty, slightly moisturized hair, distributing from the roots to the ends. After applying the mask you should wrap your head in a towel or a bag and leave the composition for at least half an hour. To wash off the mask it is better to use herbal decoctions or warm water with shampoo dissolved in it. When the mask is completely washed off, the hair should dry naturally, without the use of a hair dryer.
2. Protein can be mixed with burdock oil, almond oil, coconut oil. Keep the composition on the hair is recommended at least 1 hour. Such a mask nourishes the hair well and gives it shine.

Face masks

There are many different recipes for face masks on the basis of sour milk, as it has a remarkable rejuvenating effect. In addition, this product perfectly moisturizes dry and faded skin, gets rid of rashes and inflammations, and also helps to eliminate excess pigmentation due to the whitening effect. The sour milk mask is versatile, because it is well suited for all skin types.

1. To prepare a mask for oily skin use a mixture of sour milk with cottage cheese or fresh ground natural coffee. This mixture simultaneously cleanses pores and nourishes the skin. Hold it on the face for 15-20 minutes and rinse.
2. Also, milk can be mixed with clay in equal proportions. Such a mask is kept on the face until it dries out completely and is washed off under running water.

Harms and contraindications

Although sour milk is a unique and versatile therapeutic product, but it has several contraindications.

Protea should not be consumed by people who suffer from exacerbations of gastrointestinal diseases, such as pancreatitis, erosive gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. Also, the product is not recommended for hepatitis and cholelithiasis.

How to store sour milk

The storage conditions of sour-milk, regardless of whether it is factory or homemade, practically do not differ from the standard storage conditions of dairy and fermented dairy products. In its closed form, factory-made sourdough can be stored for no more than five days, provided that it is kept in a refrigerator with a temperature no higher than +5.

Homemade or already unpacked sour milk should be stored in the same conditions, but its shelf life is reduced to 36 hours.

How to make sour milk at home

To make sourdough at home, it will not take much. First of all, you need whole milk, preferably homemade or with a very short shelf life. You also need sourdough with live lactic acid bacteria, most often using bread pulp or sour cream. Depending on which sourdough starter is chosen, different types of sourdough are produced in the end.

The milk is poured into a large saucepan and brought to a boil, but under no circumstances should the milk boil and curdle. After this it is cooled to 40 degrees and added to it leaven, cover the pot with a lid, wrap it in a blanket and leave it for 7-9 hours. At the end of time, sourdough will be ready.

How to drink sour milk correctly

Despite the fact that yogurt is harmless and extremely useful, you need to adhere to a certain regime of its consumption, so that it can have the maximum beneficial effect on the body. It is best to drink one glass in the morning and in the evening.

How much you can drink per day

There is no specific amount or any restrictions on the consumption of sour milk, especially if a person is absolutely healthy. However, doctors still recommend not to get too much into this drink. For maximum benefit, you can drink a glass of sour milk shortly before breakfast, add this drink to lunch to improve digestion, and another glass can be drunk before going to bed.

Can you drink it at night and on an empty stomach?

Drinking yoghurt at night is not only possible, but also necessary, because the body stays awake at night and continues to work at the same pace, and therefore it will definitely need a refreshment.

A glass of sour milk in the morning on an empty stomach will help to quickly and effectively start all the systems of the body, will give you vivacity and improve your health.

What can be made from sourdough: recipes

There is a huge number of culinary recipes, the basis of which includes sour milk. These include baked goods, muffins, and various desserts, as well as cheeses, cottage cheese and much more.

Fritters

Fritters of sour milk are prepared quite easily and quickly, while turning out incredibly tasty. It's very simple, you need to mix the eggs with sugar and salt in a large bowl, add a little baking soda and pour in the sour milk. Mix well, add flour, so that the dough was like a thick sour cream, and leave it alone for 10-15 minutes. From the finished dough you can now fry pancakes. Using a spoon, place the batter on a heated frying pan and fry for three minutes on each side, until golden brown.

Pancakes

Pancakes made with sour milk are quite tender and tasty. The dough for them is almost no different from the dough for pancakes, you need to mix salt, sugar, eggs, flour and sour milk, only instead of soda add vegetable oil. You should put less flour, so that the dough is viscous and liquid. It is also better to let it stand for ten minutes, and then you can start frying pancakes.

Dough

There are quite a few variations of dough from sour milk, there are both unleavened and muffins. For the most basic version of the dough you need to mix the yeast, sugar and salt, pour them a little warmed yogurt and mix thoroughly. Add to the mass a few beaten eggs and sifted flour, mix well again and let stand in a warm place for about half an hour. Then knead the dough and give it time to rise. After that, it is considered ready.

Cottage cheese

There are many ways to make curd from sour milk, but the easiest is hot. You need to pour the sour milk into a saucepan and put it on a low heat, as soon as it starts to boil - immediately turn it off. Cover with lid and let stand for 10 minutes to separate the whey. After this, discard the contents of the pan in a colander, precovered with gauze. It is better to put under the colander some container to drain the whey, because it is also very useful. When the whey is completely drained, you need to squeeze the mass - the one that remained in the colander, and will be cottage cheese.

Mannik

Mannik from sour milk turns out incredibly tender and delicious, and to prepare it, it does not take much time and effort. There are many recipes for mannik on sour milk. The simplest of them is the classic one. You need to fill the semolina with sour milk, mix well and leave for half an hour in order for the groats to absorb the sour milk and swell. At this time you should beat with a mixer a few eggs with sugar until you obtain a homogeneous fluffy mass.

When the semolina has swollen, add this mass and mix it, you should also add a cup of flour, a pinch of salt and vanilla extract. You should also add a glass of flour, a pinch of salt and a pinch of vanilla extract. Bake on moderate heat until a light golden crust appears. You can check the level of readiness from time to time with a wooden skewer.

Cheese

Homemade cheese from sourdough turns out not only very useful, but also incredibly delicious. There are many ways to prepare such cheese, it can be with herbs, and with various spices or other additives. To make a classic homemade cheese from sour milk will not require much time and effort. Whole milk must be poured into a saucepan and brought to a boil, then turn down the heat to minimum. Separately, you need to mix eggs with sour milk, so that you get a homogeneous mass, and gradually pour it into the boiling milk, without stopping to stir.

Next, the resulting mixture should continue to stir on the fire until the yellowish-green whey begins to separate. After that, you must put the contents of the pot on a colander or a sieve, pre-stretched with gauze, and allow the whey to drain completely. Then you can add herbs or other additives, salt and seasonings to taste, mix and tightly squeeze into the mold. Cover the cheese form with plastic wrap and put some kind of load on top. Send it to the fridge for a few days, after which the cheese will be ready.

Khvorost

The recipe for the preparation of khvorost from sour milk is quite simple. You need to mix in a bowl the egg, salt, sugar, melted butter, a little soda and sour milk. All this well beat with a mixer and add sifted flour. Knead a stiff dough and leave it for about 15-20 minutes to rest. Then divide it into parts, roll out in layers and cut into small thin strips. In the center of each strip make a small incision and twist one edge through it. Pan fry these strips for a few minutes on each side. Turn out onto a plate and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Chvorost is ready.

Interesting facts about sour milk

Yogurt is a special and unique dairy product. Its benefits people have known since ancient times. When exactly yogurt was discovered is unknown, but reference to it can be found in the famous work of the Greek philosopher Homer "The Odyssey". In one of the episodes, when the main character enters the cave of the Cyclops, he sees a vessel with thick, sour milk in it. Presumably, since that time, people began to use this drink for both food and cosmetic treatments.

Photo of the sourdough