Buttermilk, a fermented dairy product, is a popular beverage in many parts of the world. It is made by adding lactic acid bacteria to milk, which causes it to ferment and develop a tangy flavor. Buttermilk is low in fat and calories and is a rich source of many critical nutrients. This article will discuss the various health benefits of buttermilk.
Ayurvedic Buttermilk vs. Buttermilk In The West
Homemade buttermilk is the slightly sour liquid left over after whole milk is churned into butter. Buttermilk is lower in fat than regular milk as it’s been taken out to make butter. Many health benefits could be related to cooking with buttermilk, such as being a digestive aid and other possible health properties associated with its abundant vitamin and mineral makeup. It is available in liquid, frozen, or powder form.
Ayurvedic buttermilk is very different from what we call buttermilk from the West. This is often utilized to restore the beneficial intestinal bacteria – a special and difficult task. It’s great for assimilation and provides a superb source of crucial digestive microbes. Ayurvedic buttermilk is far better than yogurt or lassi for lightening emotions since it’s a lighter drink that doesn’t increase Kapha.
It helps restore the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract, thus helping digestion and assimilation. Buttermilk is named Takra in Sanskrit. Buttermilk is just one of the frequent food items described in Ayurveda to use for a variety of kinds of diseases. In the present era, it’s also employed as a regular food item in most sections of India. In Ayurveda, it is clarified that the Agni dushti (Imbalance in Digestion) is the main cause of all diseases. Buttermilk is beneficial in the disease due to this digestion imbalance or metabolic disorders.
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An Ancient Sanskrit textbook named Vaidyakiyashubhashitasahitya notes that God in heaven got immortality because of AMRUTA (nectar). In the world, Takra (Buttermilk) is for people to be immortal.
Buttermilk is useful in the following conditions: SHOPHA (edema), ARSHAS (Hemorrhoids), GRAHANI VIKAR (Irritable bowel syndrome or Mal-absorption syndrome), UDAR ROGA (the term for disorders of the stomach ), ARUCHI (Anorexia), PANDU (Initial phase of liver disease or anemia ) (Reference: Charaka samhita, sutra sthana,27:229)
Normal use of buttermilk is good for Edema, Hemorrhoids, and IBS or metabolic disorders. (Reference: Charaka samhita, Sutra sthana,25:40). Buttermilk is taken with Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) for Diabetic ailments. (Reference: Charaka samhita, Sutra sthana,23:17)
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Buttermilk also finds a special mention in Ayurveda and is described as a beverage that gods envy, revealing this drink’s many advantages. It’s believed to increase circulation, detoxifies and cleanse the system, and benefit people with diarrhea and IBS. The other ailments that Buttermilk helps in healing are hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart disease. Various methods of preparation, together with the quantity of water, are used for different Kapha, Vata, and Pitta systems.
Good for Digestion
Buttermilk is an excellent source of probiotics, which are good bacteria that help to improve digestion. These probiotics improve the gut flora, which is the collection of bacteria in the digestive system. A healthy gut flora is essential for a healthy digestive system as it aids in breaking down food and absorption of nutrients. Buttermilk can also help relieve constipation, bloating, and other digestive issues.
People with digestive problems are often advised to drink Buttermilk instead of milk, as it’s more quickly and easily digested. Buttermilk has more lactic acid than skim milk. Buttermilk made at home is a rich source of probiotics. Like Yogurt or kefir, buttermilk with active cultures can help build healthy bacteria in the gut that may have been lost because of antibiotics. These wholesome bacteria improve digestion, aid in nourishment, and fight digestive difficulties from flatulence to Crohn’s disease.
People suffering from indigestion or reflux might realize that the abundance of buttermilk soothes an inflamed esophagus. If you want these digestive health properties, check that Your buttermilk includes live cultures. Buttermilk that’s been pasteurized will have killed the bacteria and cultures after it generated the tangy acid.
Promotes Weight Loss
Buttermilk is low in calories and high in protein, making it an ideal drink for those trying to lose weight. It provides calcium and other essential minerals, which help in maintaining healthy bones and muscles. Consuming buttermilk as a snack or after meals can help control appetite, reduce hunger, and aid in weight loss.
Improves Immunity
Buttermilk is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B2, B12, D, calcium, and phosphorus. These nutrients are vital in strengthening the immune system and improving overall health. Regular buttermilk consumption can help fight infections, prevent diseases, and keep the body healthy.
Boosts Energy
Buttermilk is an excellent source of carbohydrates, proteins, and essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These nutrients help to provide energy and strength to the body. Consuming buttermilk after a workout or during the day can help to boost energy levels and prevent fatigue.
Good for Skin and Hair
Buttermilk is a rich lactic acid source and a natural exfoliant. It can unclog pores, remove dead skin cells, and improve skin texture. The lactic acid in buttermilk helps to lighten skin pigmentation and reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemishes. Drinking buttermilk regularly can also help to improve hair health by strengthening the roots, reducing hair fall, and promoting hair growth.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Buttermilk is an excellent source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure, and it counteracts the effects of sodium, which can increase blood pressure. Consuming buttermilk regularly can help to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of hypertension, and improve heart health.
Reduces Cholesterol
Buttermilk is low in fat and cholesterol, making it an ideal drink for those with high cholesterol levels. The probiotics in buttermilk also help to reduce cholesterol levels by breaking down the fats in the digestive system. Consuming buttermilk regularly can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and other related health problems.
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Helps Bone Growth
Among buttermilk’s biggest benefits is its calcium content. You need 1,000 mg of calcium daily, and every cup of low-fat buttermilk provides you 284 mg, just over a quarter of your objective. Getting ample calcium in your diet can help slow bone loss as you age, may help encourage new bone growth, and might stave off osteoporosis. Calcium is known to support cell communication and muscle contraction.
Detoxes your mind, body & soul
If you add buttermilk to your diet, then you increase your Riboflavin or vitamin B-2 intake. Riboflavin activates enzymes in your cells, which can help drive energy production. Riboflavin also supports liver function, an integral process for detoxifying the body of toxins. Riboflavin helps your body create uric acid, a powerful antioxidant. One cup of buttermilk contains 377 micrograms of riboflavin, almost one-third of your body’s daily requirement.
Protein is important for every body cell, including bones, muscles, cartilage, and blood. One cup of buttermilk contains 8.1 g of protein, roughly the same as one cup of low-fat milk.
Gets rid of the body feeling heavy
Buttermilk doesn’t result in heaviness when consumed and gets digested efficiently. Buttermilk is generally sour in flavor and acts as an astringent. Because of this property, buttermilk aids in reducing pores due to acne and pimples. It reduces hypermotility of the intestines through diarrhea and IBS. This property also can help shrink hemorrhoids). Aggravated Kapha and Vata are mitigated by buttermilk. According to Ayurveda, it reduces gut bloating, eases symptoms of hemorrhoids, soothes intestines in IBS, and aids in indigestion. Additionally, it reduces the effects of toxins and is extremely helpful in treating anemia.
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Relieves Constipation
Buttermilk detoxifies the body, cleanses the intestines, relieves constipation, and helps replenish intestinal flora. It has less fat when compared with milk and is full of calcium, potassium, and Vitamin B12. Takra cleanses the channels of flow (srotas), and as a consequence of that rasa, the final product of digestion of food, reaches each of the cells properly. It creates appropriate nourishment, strength, and complexion.
When the channels carrying nourishment to all cells in the body become clogged or obstructed for any reason, the specific organ or system endures in efficacy because of a lack of nourishment. It’s crucial to get rid of such blockages. The herbs or mixtures that tackle these issues are termed “Rasayana” in Ayurveda. The forces that cause the blockage or immunity have to be eliminated. The stations that cause transportation are termed “strotas”. Buttermilk eliminates such blockages and purifies the “strotas”. This causes better motion (‘ayana’) of’anna-rasa’, the nutrients. When sufficient nourishment is obtained by cells (“koshas”), they begin working with complete force.
Helps Anti-aging
Because of saturation or aging of strotas during old age, the management systems of the body don’t get sufficient nutrients, which causes aging signs like lack of memory (dementia), diminished eyesight, wrinkles on the skin, graying of hair, etc..
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People who take buttermilk frequently don’t age faster and keep their arteries elastic for longer. Thus buttermilk is an elixir (param-amrutam) that keeps ‘Jara’ (old age) and ‘Vyadhi’ (disease) away. Ayurveda treats buttermilk as a super-food to maintain cholesterol-related issues miles away.
Takra is for the health of digestion, and this means the entire health of the entire body and mind. Ayurveda uses buttermilk both to maintain health and to treat diseases. Buttermilk is easy to digest, has sour and astringent tastes, and is hot. Buttermilk enhances digestion and mitigates Kapha and Vata.
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Ayurvedic Treatments Using Buttermilk
Ayurvedic treatment helps treat inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders, lack of desire, spleen disorders, and nausea. Buttermilk is exceptionally beneficial during winter, indigestion, and Vata imbalance-associated ailments. If blended with the buttermilk, the wood apple pulp cures diarrhea, dysentery, and excessive hemorrhage. Drinking buttermilk mixed with powdered asafoetida, powdered cumin seed, and powdered rock salt cures diarrhea and abdominal pains.
In diseases such as celiac disease, mixing powdered leaves of the sacred fig tree and dry ginger in buttermilk and drinking it is quite beneficial. Drinking buttermilk made from the fresh milk of a cow, without mixing salt, purifies the blood. It gives strength and energy, improves the body’s complexion, and destroys numerous diseases associated with Vata and Kapha doshas.
If equal amounts of powdered dry ginger, powdered black pepper, powdered leaves of the fig tree, and powdered rock salt are blended in buttermilk and then had, it cures indigestion. Similarly, if powdered dry ginger and powdered black pepper are mixed with buttermilk, it also destroys indigestion.
Caution
Buttermilk is considered hot and should be avoided in summer or by people who have suffered trauma or injury. It should also not be taken by people sensitive to or allergic to lactose.
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Summary
Buttermilk is a delicious and nutritious drink that has many health benefits. It is an excellent source of probiotics, essential vitamins, and minerals that help to improve digestion, boost energy, strengthen immunity, regulate blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels. Consuming buttermilk regularly can also help to improve skin and hair health, aid in weight loss, and prevent various health problems. So, if you want a healthy and refreshing beverage, try buttermilk and enjoy its many benefits.
