10 Amazing Health Benefits of Buttermilk (Chaas)

Buttermilk is a popular drink in India, and rightly so, for its amazing health benefits. Even ancient Ayurvedic texts recommend that one should drink buttermilk regularly. 

Buttermilk (chaas in Hindi) is a popular summer drink in North India. Besides being delicious and lightweight, there are a lot of benefits of drinking buttermilk. 

Whether you are lactose intolerant, conscious about your weight loss or suffering from blood pressure, a glass full of buttermilk will be beneficial for you.   As an Indian, we love to have Chaas or Butter Milk, but if you are living in Dubai, so it becomes difficult to Chaas. However, you can find Chaas at Amritsr Restaurant – best indian restaurant in Dubai.

What is Buttermilk?

The name buttermilk can be misleading, as it does not contain any butter. The traditional buttermilk is made from the liquid leftover of the whole milk that’s churned into butter. 

It is a common healthy beverage popular in different North Indian regions. Due to the presence of lactic acid, the acidity of buttermilk is high and helps in preventing unwanted bacterial growth, which is one of the major health benefits of buttermilk.

Lactic acid also gives it a sour taste, which is due to the presence of fermenting lactose (the primary sugar in milk) in it. Buttermilk is thick compared to regular cow milk. When the bacteria found in this beverage releases lactic acid, its pH level reduces. Moreover, the casein (primary protein in milk) gets solidified. 

Due to the reduced pH level, the buttermilk curdles and becomes thick. This happens because low pH makes the buttermilk acidic. Cow milk has a pH level of around 6.7-6.9, which is high compared to the pH level of buttermilk (4.4-4.8).

Here are the 10 Health Benefits of Buttermilk or Chaas

1. Reduces Acidity

One of the top benefits of chaas is that this yoghurt-based drink helps in combating acidity. If you often feel acid reflux after meals, you must start drinking buttermilk. 

A glass of buttermilk after meals can improve digestion while preventing acidity. Some added condiments, such as dried ginger or pepper, may further improve its properties. It may reduce irritation in stomach lining caused because of acid reflux. 

2. Fights Constipation

Buttermilk is also a natural remedy for avoiding constipation and related problems. If you have buttermilk daily, it can ease the condition while facilitating bowel movement due to high fibre content. 

3. Cooling Effect

Another benefit of drinking chaas is that it provides a cooling effect on your body, especially on the digestive system. Hence, it is a great summer drink option. Whenever you feel a burning sensation in the stomach, you must consider drinking a glass of buttermilk to get instant relief. 

4. Prevents Dehydration

It is a perfect drink for keeping your body hydrated, especially in summers. The dehydration may lead to certain ailments and general discomfort.

Since buttermilk contains a lot of electrolytes, it prevents water loss from your body. So, it naturally hydrates your body and prevents summer diseases, such as prickly heat.

5. Helps in Detoxification

One of the major advantages of buttermilk is that it contains riboflavin that helps in converting food into energy. It also helps in the secretion of certain hormones.

Riboflavin even improves liver function while promoting detoxification. With regular consumption of buttermilk, toxins can easily get out of your body. 

6. Provides Essential Vitamins and Nutrients

Buttermilk contains a variety of minerals and vitamins, such as potassium, vitamin B, etc. It is also a good source of proteins and other nutrients and thus, good for balancing vitamin deficiency in the body. 

7. Rich in Calcium

Buttermilk is one of the best sources of calcium. Many people are lactose intolerant and thus, cannot consume milk or any other dairy product. But the good news is that even lactose-intolerant people can consume buttermilk without any adverse effects.

Moreover, buttermilk is a great calcium source for people on diet or planning to lose their weight, as it doesn’t contain fats. 

8. Reduces Blood Pressure

According to certain studies, regular consumption of buttermilk may reduce blood pressure significantly. Due to the presence of bioactive proteins that have cholesterol-reducing properties, buttermilk is recommended to high BP patients. 

9. Reduces Cholesterol 

According to Ayurvedic texts, having buttermilk regularly can control your cholesterol levels. This has also been backed by science, as some studies show that buttermilk keeps cholesterol levels in check. 

10. Prevention of Diseases

Buttermilk contains the Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), which consists of compounds with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. Hence, drinking buttermilk prevents various unwanted diseases and health conditions. 

Below is the Image for all the 10 Benefits of Buttermilk:-

Conclusion

Buttermilk is a popular dairy product that has many health benefits due to the presence of various minerals and vitamins. Buttermilk health benefits vary from maintaining proper body weight to reducing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels. 

Also Read:- 5 Immunity Boosting Foods that You Should Eat During COVID-19

FAQs on Buttermilk:-

Can we drink buttermilk daily? 

Yes, buttermilk can be consumed daily. It is a good source of minerals and vitamins that maintain strong bones. It even contains compounds that can improve your heart and oral health. Therefore, you must make it a regular part of your diet. 

Is it good to have buttermilk at night?

At night, having a glass of buttermilk can be beneficial for improving digestion, promoting sleep, etc. But if you have pollen allergy or cold, you must avoid drinking it at night or it can lead to sore throat in the morning. 

Can buttermilk help you lose weight?

Containing minimal fat content, buttermilk is being suggested by doctors to patients on a low-calorie diet. Therefore, drinking buttermilk will help in slimming down. It is also rich in nutrients, so offers many other health benefits to health-conscious people. 

Is Buttermilk healthier than regular milk?

Yes, of course. In Indian villages, buttermilk is prepared freshly at home. It is consumed as a morning drink for a refreshing kick-start to the day. Since it is probiotic, buttermilk is considered to be healthier than milk. Moreover, it helps in relieving acidity caused by milk products. 

How long does buttermilk last?

Once you open a buttermilk bottle, it can last up to 14 days in the refrigerator. It can even be frozen unopened or opened in an airtight container for up to three months. If you observe any smell or changes in its texture, you must avoid the consumption.