A breakfast staple that serves as a popular addition to your morning cereal has been linked with a lower BMI and might even enhance your gut health.
It appears that opting for the full-fat variety of Greek yoghurt not only brings down body mass index (BMI), but it can also lead to reduced weight, smaller waist circumference and is rich in protein as well.
Nutrition expert Rhiannon Lambert underscored this favoured food item’s contribution to digestive wellbeing, especially noting prebiotic properties key for a healthy gut, with its protein component playing a role in “muscle maintenance and satiety”.
Sharing insights with the Telegraph, Rhiannon explained: “Greek yoghurt is an excellent source of protein and prebiotics, which support gut health. The high protein content helps with muscle maintenance and satiety, while probiotics aid in digestion and nutrient absorption.”
Greek yoghurt comes in various types such as reduced fat, fat-free, and both flavoured and unflavoured versions. Celebrated for being nutrient-rich, as per Healthline, Greek yoghurt offers protein, carbohydrates, and fats provided you choose the right brand, reports Surrey Live.
Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert highlighted the popular food’s prebiotic content (stock)
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Notably, Healthline also mentioned that although full-fat Greek yoghurt indeed contains more fat and calories than its reduced-fat counterparts, and sweetened varieties tend to have higher carbs and sugars, numerous research studies suggest that consuming high-fat dairy might assist in weight control, despite common hesitations regarding their higher fat and calorie composition.
A study from 2016 suggested that consuming more full-fat dairy could be associated with a lower risk of weight gain over an 11-year period. However, it’s important to note that the research did not find a significant relationship between low-fat dairy consumption and weight change.
Further investigation in 2020, reviewing 29 studies, found no evidence to suggest that full-fat dairy leads to weight or fat gain in children. Additionally, a 2017 study indicated that dairy fat does not increase the risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, or heart disease.
Despite this, Harvard Health stressed that instead of the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in olive oil and fish, dairy often contains saturated fat, which is thought to contribute to heart disease.
Moreover, UK Government guidelines recommend choosing low-fat yoghurts due to their reduced saturated fat content, which can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, according to the British Heart Foundation.
A number of studies have indicated that eating high-fat dairy foods could aid with weight management (stock)
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The virtues of low-fat Greek yoghurt have also been acknowledged. In 2022, Dr Roxana Ehsani, a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, was reported by the Express as saying that “plain, non-fat or low-fat greek yogurt” ranks as the top food choice for reducing visceral fat.
Dr Ehsani further explained: “Eating protein-rich foods can help reduce hunger as it promotes feelings of satiety. It also makes you less likely to overeat when you have protein present at meal and snack times.”
For more information on weight loss, the NHS website offers a wealth of resources.