Buttermilk is a byproduct derived from churning fermented milk or cream. This thin liquid is popular drink during summer. Buttermilk is commonly consumed in countries having warm climate. People relish cold buttermilk to refresh from the scorching heat of summer. Buttermilk is described in two forms namely traditional and cultured buttermilk. Traditional buttermilk is the liquid that is left over after butter is removed from fermented milk or cream. The fermentation in this process is caused due to naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria. Cultured buttermilk on the other hand is commercial prepared by fermenting pasteurized skim milk with the help of strain of bacteria such as lactococcus lactis. Both these forms are healthy and also used as beverage. Buttermilk is also used as a base in many culinary dishes. Because of its acidic nature, it is also utilized in baking dishes. The health benefits of buttermilk are because of its nutritional status. Like all dairy products buttermilk too contains vitamin D, calcium, vitamin A, potassium protein, magnesium, selenium, vitamin B12, and probiotics. Buttermilk is also low in calories and fat. Due to these nutrients, buttermilk has several benefits. Here are benefits described for skin, liver and for piles.
Benefits of Drinking Buttermilk
Buttermilk benefits for skin:
Buttermilk is a natural skin care product. Lactic acid and protein in it provides several benefits for skin conditions. It removes the dead skin cells and clears off the impurities that rob away shine and shin of your skin. Lactic acid brightens your skin color. Here is the easiest way to use buttermilk for improving skin texture and color. Mix buttermilk, gram flour and small amount of turmeric powder in a small cup. Pour buttermilk to an extent that the mixture turns into a paste. Rub this paste on your skin and keep for 15 minutes before you take bath. Follow this regularly for few weeks to see the difference. The lactic acid present in buttermilk is also beneficial for removing dark spots and marks from skin. Buttermilk is also beneficial to remove suntan. The lactic acid works well to reduce dark skin tone caused by tanning. Dab buttermilk over the skin with a soaked cotton ball. Buttermilk is also an effective cleanser for skin.
Buttermilk benefits for liver:
Buttermilk is beneficial for liver conditions as well as digestion. Fatty liver is condition in which fat gets accumulated in the liver cells. Normally there is small amount of fat present in liver cells. However, in fatty liver the fat accumulation is more than normal. Several conditions are responsible for fatty liver such as alcohol, obesity, high cholesterol level, malnutrition etc. Buttermilk is a cooling agent and it has ability to flush off toxic content from the body because of its vitamins and several other nutrients. Drinking buttermilk regularly reduces fatty liver. Buttermilk is easy to digest and does not overload liver to work harder. Besides it contains several nutrients that will help the body to suffice its need. Riboflavin present in buttermilk supports liver to maintain its function.
Buttermilk benefit for piles:
Piles or hemorrhoids are inflamed veins in the anal canal. Piles can be of several grades. They can be internal inside the anal canal or protruding out from the anus. Hemorrhoid is a painful condition and sometimes even bleeding. Chronic constipation is one of the foremost causes for piles. Drinking buttermilk daily two times with meals will help in regulation of bowel movement. Thus it will help in getting rid of constipation and pile problem.
Aside from the above mentioned health benefits, buttermilk also has several other benefits such as:
- Increases intake of calcium.
- Improves digestion of food.
- Cools down acidity from spicy food.
- Has ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure
- Regular intake is useful to prevent dehydration in summer.
- Its probiotic content is beneficial to control diarrhea.