Why homemade curd is best for your health?

Curd is commonly used ingredient in Indian meal. Ayurveda explains its benefits according to the type of the body i.e Vaat, Pitta and Kapha. It also works as a home remedy for many health issues. Now a days everyone is aware of these health benefits and have started consuming Dahi/ Curd/ Yogurt. Many of us are consuming store bought/ ready made curd and it is easily available in the market with its so called good nutritional values like Rich in calcium, with probiotic formula, Natural flavors etc. Whereas its extremely easy to make curd at home and get more nutrients that the store bought curd. You really can not compare homemade curd with store bought one.

Cons of store bought curd:

• Do you really check its expiry date every time??

• It has added preservatives

• Culture used for making curd is not natural. Hence you may not get all the benefits present in natural curd.

• Packaging and Storage: It comes in plastic or aluminium cover or containers. Any food especially which has good bacterias should not be stored in plastic or aluminium containers. (Very soon we will be writing an article on food storage and plastic.)

Home made curd:

• "Good" bacteria/ gut bacteria protects your gastrointestinal tract and improves gut health.

• Beneficial amino acids, proteins and omega-3 fats

• Vitamin B rich

• Healthy unoxidized cholesterol.

• No added preservatives

• No artificial culture (Natural)- To set curd u just need to add a spoon of curd from the last batch to a cup of lukewarm milk. Wait for 8 -10 hours (depending upon the whether, if it is cold then it may take for time) and you are done.

• Storage: Best curd can be made in earthen pots. If earthen pots are not available then glass bowl or jar or even stainless steel will do. No plastic containers. Avoid carrying curd in plastic containers.

• Curd has absorbent properties. It absorbs water from intestines and hence used to treat diarrhea and acidity.

How to consume:

You can consume curd/ yogurt anytime during the day. Best time to have it is, along with your lunch of any meal except dinner. Ayurveda does not recommend consumption of curd at night.

Its an important ingredient of Panchamrit which can be consumed in the morning.