Dairy products such as Greek Yogurt contain an amino acid called tryptophan, which may help you to feel drowsier before heading to bed. After you eat foods rich in tryptophan, your body converts it into two hormones, serotonin and melatonin, which may promote a restful night's sleep.
According to Lauren Popeck, RD, a dietitian at Orlando Health, Greek yogurt is perfect for bedtime, because it contains the sleep-inducing chemical tryptophan. And because it's such a rich source of protein, Greek yogurt can also help you avoid that same glucose spike.
Curd and yoghurt can actually impair digestion, if you have a weak digestive system and eat them at night. “People with digestion issues such as acidity, acid reflux or indigestion should avoid yoghurt or curd at night as it can cause constipation when the system is sluggish and sleep-ready.
A study published in the American Journal of Physiology suggests that eating yoghurt at night right before sleeping can stimulate overnight protein synthesis. This can help in muscle growth and repair. Besides, the micronutrient in it can aid in weight loss.
With the four recommended times mentioned above, the best options to consume yogurt are in the morning or on an empty stomach. This is because the good bacteria or probiotics in yogurt must reach the large intestine alive to maintain digestive efficiency and health.
Having a bowl of low-fat greek yogurt before bed can help you burn fat while you sleep. Low-fat sugar-free yogurt can be high in protein which can assist in your body's ability to build more muscle which requires you to burn more calories. Yogurt can also help you sleep better and wake up less hungry.
Vasant Lad notes that yogurt shouldn't be paired with milk. In addition to this, he also lists down a couple of everyday foods, that you may have been combining all your life with yogurt but shouldn't be! These include sour fruits, melons, fish, mango, starches, cheese and bananas.
Also, yogurt is rich in calcium and research has linked calcium to lower levels of abdominal fat. Of course, all the nutrients in food work together, but calcium has been singled out because experts believe it may help to increase fat burn, reduce fat absorption, and slightly rev metabolism.
Because yogurt is a filling, protein-rich food, choosing yogurt and other high protein foods over less filling foods can help support a healthy body weight. A review of 22 studies concluded that yogurt consumption is associated with lower body fat, less weight gain, and smaller waist circumference ( 18 ).
Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is also rich in protein, particularly casein. Preliminary studies suggest that consuming casein protein at night may help reduce hunger the next morning (4, 39 ). If yogurt is your snack of choice, opt for plain and flavor it with unsweetened fruit, such as berries or peaches.
Curd (or) yogurt contains plenty of tryptophan that can induce sleep effectively. Eating at least 3 cups of curd/yogurt every day can therefore help you sleep peacefully at night.
"By eating yogurt every day, you continue to supply your GI tract with healthy bacteria. These healthy bacteria prevent 'bad' bacteria from taking over, which leads to improved gut and immune health."
Probiotics balance gut bacteria and help increase metabolism — so make sure to have a Greek yogurt (which is more concentrated and has higher levels of probiotics) with your breakfast.
Greek yoghurt is generally considered the most nutritious option when it comes to yoghurts. Due to the way it is made, it is naturally higher in protein, which makes it a great addition to breakfast, leaving you feeling satisfied throughout the morning.
According to a 2013 study published in “Nutrition Research,” eating yogurt on a regular basis is linked to lower blood pressure, blood glucose, and triglyceride levels, as well as decreased insulin resistance and vaginal infections, when compared to not eating yoghurt.
Sleeping naked has a slew of health benefits, including helping you to lose weight. A study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health found that keeping yourself cool while you sleep speeds the body's metabolism because your body creates more brown fat to keep you warm.
Because nutritionists urge us to avoid too many sweets, going Greek is a smarter choice. “Greek has a lower amount of sugar (around 5-8 grams, compared to 12 or more grams) than the regular yogurt, while still having the high levels of vitamins and minerals,” Ewoldt says.
Combining the potassium found in bananas with high protein foods like yogurt (especially Greek yogurt) helps build muscle and replenish amino acids that are depleted during exercise. So enjoy the easy-to-grab pair on your way home from the gym or add them to your post-workout smoothies.