Is Buttermilk Good for Weight Loss? Do You Need to Give up on This Deliciousness?

What is Buttermilk?

In the traditional context, the term “buttermilk” was used for the liquid left over after whole milk was churned into butter. The Indian version of buttermilk is a drink made by blending curd or yogurt with water and optionally, spices. 

In this blog, we are talking about Indian buttermilk and whether it is good for weight loss.

Buttermilk: Benefits for Weight Loss

Curd is good for weight loss and so is buttermilk, which is made from curd and water. The calories in curd, and thus the calories in buttermilk, are not very high. Thus, buttermilk is a good addition to a weight loss diet. 

Buttermilk is good for weight loss in the following ways:

The protein content helps you stay full for longer

100 g of curd has 3.82 g of protein. Buttermilk made with 100 g curd will contain the same amount of protein. Protein can keep you feeling full for longer and lower the levels of hunger hormones in your body. This way, you can cut down on snacking and overeating, which contributes to weight loss.

Also, the protein and calcium content in curd and thus buttermilk increase levels of appetite-reducing hormones like peptide YY and GLP-1, thus helping control your appetite and aiding weight loss. 

The metabolism boost helps burn fat 

The calcium, protein, and probiotics present in buttermilk can boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories. Studies show that eating curd every day along with meals helped people lose more weight and fat compared to those who did not include curd in their diet. Drinking buttermilk every day is expected to have the same benefits for weight loss. 

The probiotic bacteria aid digestion

The probiotic bacteria (live, friendly bacteria) present in curd improve digestion and absorption of nutrients. Studies suggest that in this way, probiotics can help you lose weight and keep it off.

How to Make Buttermilk for Weight Loss?

Here are a few versatile buttermilk recipes for weight loss.

Method of preparation: Take curd in a bowl and add the water. Give it a good stir, add all the ingredients and mix well. Churn everything together manually or in a blender. Adjust the salt according to your taste. Enjoy!

How Much Buttermilk is Good for Weight Loss?

You can have 1 to 2 cups (245 to 450 g) of curd in a day for weight loss. You can make 500 to 1000 ml of buttermilk with 1 to 2 cups of curd and drink it in a day, as 1 single serving or divided into various servings.

What is the Best Time to Drink Buttermilk for Weight Loss?

• You can drink buttermilk at any time of the day, but drinking buttermilk on an empty stomach for weight loss can help improve your gut health and aids in effective digestion. 
• Try incorporating it into your lunch or dinner. Drinking buttermilk during the day can help you feel full for longer and cut down on mid-morning or evening snacking, which can reduce your overall calorie intake and assist with weight loss.
• Is buttermilk good for weight loss at night? Yes, drinking buttermilk at night can promote digestion, prevent midnight hunger pangs, and improve the quality of your sleep.

What are the Risks of Overconsumption of Buttermilk?

Buttermilk is good for weight loss, but overconsumption may pose several other health problems such as:

• Drinking too much buttermilk made of whole-fat curd can cause weight gain. 
• Though the lactose in buttermilk is usually easily digestible by those intolerant or sensitive to lactose, drinking too much dairy products such as buttermilk may lead to abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea, etc.

What are the Other Health Benefits of Buttermilk?

Most of the health benefits of buttermilk come from the properties of curd, which is used to make it. Curd and thus buttermilk has the following health benefits:

• It improves bone and dental health.
• It helps in lowering blood pressure.
• It prevents muscle loss and helps with muscle building. 
• It reduces the severity of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.
• It boosts immunity and protects against intestinal and vaginal infections. 
• It improves skin and hair health.
• It protects against cardiovascular disease.