Recently, Acharya Balkrishna took to social media to share a simple yet really effective tip about digestive wellness. In his soft-spoken wisdom, he prescribed a humble drink that has been relished for centuries in Indian households: buttermilk or chaas.
He claimed that having buttermilk on a regular basis, particularly at meals, helps in soothing your stomach and even improving digestion, thereby lifting your energy levels naturally.
But what makes this tangy, refreshing drink so special? Let’s dive in.
What is buttermilk?
At first glance, buttermilk may seem like a minor variant of milk, with its sour taste. However, it is much more. In India, fermented milk goes under the name of chaas. This is produced by fermentation of milk with lactic acid bacteria. The fermentation process gives it not only its unique, tangy taste but also makes it rich in probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
The result is a creamy, slightly thick drink that is easier to digest than regular milk and packs a punch of nutrients in every sip.
The nutritional power of buttermilk
100 grams of buttermilk contains:
Energy: 40 kcal
Protein: 3.31 g
Calcium: 116 mg
Phosphorus: 89 mg
Potassium: 151 mg
Riboflavin: 0.154 mg
Pantothenic Acid: 0.275 mg
These nutrients are crucial for bones, muscles, and overall metabolic health. But the magic of buttermilk lies way beyond its nutritional numbers.
Buttermilk benefits
This drink instantly cools you down during a hot summer afternoon or after having something spicy. The natural cooling effect of buttermilk, with its mild acidity, helps regulate the body’s temperature.
Buttermilk is rich in water and electrolytes such as potassium, which can help replace the fluids lost through sweat, keeping your body well-hydrated.
Buttermilk with probiotics helps in maintaining the balance between gut bacteria, which helps in smoother digestion and eliminates problems like bloating, acidity, or heaviness in the stomach. According to Acharya Balkrishna, add a pinch of rock salt, roasted cumin, and black pepper to enhance its digestion properties.
Rich in calcium, protein, vitamins B12, and riboflavin, buttermilk supports good bone health, muscle function, and energy metabolism.
The lactic acid in buttermilk helps exfoliate the skin by removing dead cells, leaving it bright and healthy. Buttermilk has been considered a traditional application for attaining smooth, glowing skin.
Simple tips to make buttermilk even healthier, tastier
Add roasted cumin powder, black pepper, or rock salt to enhance the flavor and digestion benefits. Use fresh, home-fermented milk whenever possible for maximum probiotic content. Drink it fresh and chilled, preferably with meals, to aid digestion and absorption of nutrients.