Buttermilk: health benefits and harms

Among the variety of fermented milk products that are constantly in demand, buttermilk loses a little in popularity. This is unfair, because it is a valuable product, which contains many useful substances with minimal calorie content.

What is buttermilk and how is it healthy?

It tastes oily and a bit like sour cream. It is sometimes called low-fat cream or an oiler. Buttermilk perfectly quenches thirst, being a recognized dietary product that is appreciated and widely used in many countries of the world. The drink is now produced specifically, taking skim milk as the basis and adding a number of lactic acid bacteria. Despite the fact that the main indicator of fat is very low, the composition of buttermilk is still rich in nutrients, including:

• vitamins P, A, B, D, K, E, PP, C;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• magnesium;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• copper;
• iron;
• selenium;
• interchangeable and essential amino acids;
• saccharides;
• acids of various types, including oleic, linoleic, omega-3 and 6.

Calorie content of the product is about 40 kcal, which meets the requirements of dietary nutrition. Unlike milk, it is recommended for older people, children and pregnant women with problems with the intestines to establish metabolism, in case of chronic constipation and lethargy of peristalsis.

Useful properties of buttermilk

Lactic acid bacteria beneficially affect not only the digestive system. Due to their properties, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, the cholesterol indicator is normalized. The work of the nervous system is stabilized, anxiety is relieved, emotional lability is reduced, and disturbed sleep is restored. Buttermilk increases working capacity and mental activity, facilitates the processes of remembering new information, and sharpen attention.

Regular use of the product restores liver cells and prevents the development of its obesity. It is useful to include it in a diet program for weight loss and overall recovery.

Important! Buttermilk increases blood coagulation and improves regeneration.

1 glass of drink per day increases the body's defenses, creating a natural barrier against the penetration of viral and fungal infections. The entry of vitamins and calcium guarantees an improvement in the condition of hair, nails, and tooth enamel.

The use of buttermilk in cosmetology

Along with sour cream, buttermilk is successfully used in nourishing and bleaching masks. Due to the acidic environment, it has disinfecting and anti-inflammatory properties, reduces fat content, and stabilizes the sebaceous glands. It is especially useful for aging skin: it maintains the necessary water balance. Several available recipes take a little time and give a wonderful cosmetic effect.

1. The easiest way to deal with age spots is to wipe the skin with buttermilk daily. It is applied with a cotton pad for 20 minutes, then washed off with a little warm water.
2. A 2: 1 mixture of butterdish and tomato juice whitens and nourishes, relieves local inflammation. The mask is kept on the skin for 30 minutes.
3. A rejuvenating and soothing mask is prepared with the addition of talcum powder. It should reach the consistency of thick sour cream. It is applied in a thick layer to the skin and aged 15 minutes. It is removed by boiled water or a herbal decoction of chamomile.
4. For dry, prone to peeling skin, a cosmetic product based on oatmeal is suitable. It is poured with an oiler, allowed to swell, the gruel is laid in a generous layer for 20 minutes, removed with a herbal broth.
5. A vitamin mask based on mashed boiled carrots is necessary for thin, micro-injured skin. To do this, make up a mixture of buttermilk, vitamin E, gel or aloe vera juice, knead it with carrots until smooth, apply for 15 minutes.

When using an oilcan, it should be remembered that lactic acid is present in its composition. It is not applied to the skin around the eyes to avoid irritation.

When carrying out procedures, generally accepted rules apply. The skin must be pre-cleaned, the mixtures are removed with a cotton swab, for washing, boiled water or an infusion of herbs is prepared in advance.

For hair, this product will also benefit. He nourishes them with strength, increases elasticity, strengthens the roots, and prophylaxises the excision of tips.

The most popular recipes

1. A mask of 100 g of buttermilk and 1 egg yolk is rubbed into the scalp, insulated, washed off after 30 minutes.
2. After washing, apply an oiler to the hair, comb, rinse.
3. To improve the structure of hair mix 100 g of buttermilk with 1 tbsp. spoonful of mustard, add 5 drops of jojoba oil. Keep the mass for 30 minutes, then rinse your hair with a decoction of nettle or chamomile.

Harm and contraindications

The first factor will be the individual intolerance of lactose and dairy products in general. With such indications, buttermilk can not be used either in food or as a cosmetic product. It can be used as part of a culinary recipe: after heat treatment, many substances disintegrate or change their properties, so you can bake.

Carefully introduce buttermilk into the diet:

• with exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
• tendency to diarrhea;
• flatulence;
• diabetes.

In other cases, it will bring only benefit.

How to make buttermilk at home

In stores, it is not popular, because the demand for it is small. To order such a product is unprofitable, but it is not always at the market. Her appearance in the mall can be called a rarity, so you have to negotiate with sellers of homemade butter specifically. If we are talking about a small amount, then the butterdish can be prepared independently.

In a glass of milk is added 1 tbsp. tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, put in heat for 15 minutes, so that the mixture becomes thick and sour aftertaste. You can add drinking yogurt to the milk in a 1: 2 ratio, drain the juice of half a lemon, mix thoroughly, set to ferment.

Another recipe involves the use of tartar.

Keep in mind: low fat milk curds longer.

How to store buttermilk

Sour-milk products have a greater margin of time compared to whole milk, but compliance with temperature conditions is necessary in any case. Fresh product can stand in the refrigerator for 2 days, tolerates freezing well.

Important! Only use containers with a tight-fitting lid, as milk-based products quickly absorb odors.

How can I replace buttermilk in baking

The product is perfect as a base for confectionery, muffin, various diet desserts. Included in pancakes, muffins, yeast dough for bread and cakes, muffins. If someone cooked the product at home, it doesn’t matter.

It can be successfully replaced with whey or sour cream, diluted with boiled water at the rate of 1: 2. In some recipes, it is possible to use low-fat kefir or a mixture of fresh milk with lemon juice.

What can be cooked from buttermilk: recipes

There are many recipes, the product is traditionally used in different countries as an invigorating drink that removes thirst during the heat, make dough on its basis, and use it as a salad dressing and soups.

Pancakes

Thin, weightless, almost transparent pancakes are perfect as a breakfast. They are quite nutritious, have a slightly unusual taste, go well with jam, honey, jam or sour cream.

To prepare the dough you need:

• buttermilk - 500 ml;
• eggs - 2 pcs.;
• sugar - 1 tbsp;
• salt on the tip of a knife;
• quicklime soda - 0.5 tsp;
• vegetable oil - 2 tbsp .;
• flour - 200 g.

Consistency is like thick sour cream. First, all the ingredients are mixed except flour. It is added gradually, in small portions, with constant stirring. If you use a mixer, the dough will be more airy. Baked in a pan greased with sunflower or olive oil.

Vanilla pancakes

Spices add great flavor to pastries. Vanilla is considered the main additive in the confectionery industry. It is important not to upset it or use vanilla sugar.

In the composition of:

• 1 cup oiler;
• sugar - 70 g;
• egg;
• soda - 0.5 tsp;
• salt - 0.1 tsp;
• vanilla on the tip of a knife or vanilla sugar (20 g).

You do not need to extinguish soda in advance: the reaction will go from the sour-milk component in the basis of the test. Combine the liquid and dry ingredients separately, then gently mix them, immediately start baking in a preheated pan. For taste, a handful of small raisins or apple chips can be added to the dough first.

Cheese

Despite the fact that buttermilk is a secondary product, it is used once again for the preparation of tender and very tasty cheese. It resembles an Adyghe thin creamy shade.

Cooking process:

1. The oiler is heated to 70 degrees and kept at a constant temperature for 60 minutes.
2. Cool down. It is transferred to a dense cotton or linen fabric.
3. Suspended for 3-4 hours to remove excess fluid.
4. Put under a small load for 6 hours.

Fruit cocktail

It perfectly quenches thirst, contains few calories, gives room for imagination due to various combinations of ingredients.

Basic recipe:

• oiler - 200 g;
• strawberries - 50 g;
• raspberries - 50 g;
• banana - 100 g.

The components are mixed in a blender until a small foam is formed. You can add honey, mint, ginger.

Interesting Buttermilk Facts

Buttermilk is well known in many countries as a valuable nutritious product with a number of special properties:

• she is able to restore liver cells;
• low calorie;
• contains a wide range of vitamins, micro and macro elements;
• It is used in cooking and cosmetology;
• perfectly quenches thirst;
• appreciated as a dietary product;
• used to make traditional oriental sweets;
• in European countries it becomes the basis of fruit cocktails;
• has a complex effect on the body.

Tasty, light and healthy buttermilk will be a great addition to the daily diet of adults and children.

Buttermilk photo