
Contrary to its name, buttermilk contains no butter, and is very low in fats. This article provides information about the various nutrients present in it.
Buttermilk is the sour liquid left after butter has been churned. This fermented drink is far better than the conventional aerated soft drinks, since it is made from a healthy milk product, yogurt. There are no high-calorie ingredients present in it which makes it the safest option.
At home it is prepared using fresh yogurt; however, commercially it is prepared using lactic acid bacterial cultures, which are regarded as efficient fermenting bacteria. The enzyme produced by lactic acid bacteria leads to the breakdown of lactose into simpler sugars. Along with this, it leads to coagulation of protein casein, which results in the formation of yogurt. The liquid left over is buttermilk and appears to be thicker than milk.
The calories in buttermilk for each 500 ml are around 200, which only proves the popularity of this drink. The various nutritional facts are:
Nutrition | Value |
Total Fat | 4.4 g |
Saturated Fat | 2.74 g |
Trans Fat | 0 g |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.17 g |
Monounsaturated Fat | 1.27 g |
Calories from Fat | 39.60 |
Cholesterol | 20 mg |
Sodium | 525 mg |
Total Carbohydrate | 23.85 g |
Fiber | 0 g |
Sugar | 23.95 g |
Protein | 16.55 g |
Vitamin C | 5 mg |
Calcium | 580 mg |
Iron | 0.25 mg |
Nutritional Facts
- Being a good source of calcium and vitamins, it is recommended to include it in the diet on a regular basis. It is low in fats, and high in calcium, protein, and carbohydrate.
- It is mainly popular because of its tangy and sour taste. However, by adding various ingredients like sugar, salt and pepper, and coriander leaves different flavors can be created.
- Another nutritional benefit which cannot be overlooked is its shelf life. It can be stored for a long time by refrigerating it.
- Addition of this fermented, healthy drink enhances the taste, and thus forms an integral part of many food recipes.
- It is also used for marinating chicken or fish owing to its high acidic content.
- It is suggested that one should drink a glass of buttermilk before a work out, since it can provide adequate amounts of energy.
- It provides relief from bowel discomfort and digestion problems; also it is excellent for an upset stomach.
- There are many people who cannot digest the disaccharide (lactose) present in milk, such lactose intolerant people can opt for buttermilk, since it is easy to digest.
One can safely include this fermented drink in his/her diet, since it does not have any side effects and is a healthy option. However, these days, many substitutes are becoming increasingly popular since they provide the same nutritional benefits as the traditional buttermilk.