Buttermilk (aka Chaas)
Buttermilk is a milk product or dairy ingredient which widely used in the food industry since it contains emulsifying properties and it can enhance the flavor of the food. Commercial buttermilk which we found in market is categorized as sweet buttermilk. The sweet buttermilk is a by-product from the churning process of sweet cream into butter. Buttermilk has sour characteristic taste due to the lactic acid which formed during the process of culturing by bacteria.
You will find dehydrated buttermilk in Mother Jai’s Mineral Milk Bath.
Nutrition Facts
Buttermilk itself is prepared by churning the curd of milk and it is considered a good after-dinner-drink especially after the consumption of heavy foods like vegetables, meats, and grains. Here is the list of nutrients in 100 g buttermilk (percent daily value are based on 2000 calories diet)
- Energy 40kcal
- Carbohydrates 4.8 gr
- Fat 0.9 gr
- Protein 3.3 gr
- Calcium 116 mg/12% DV (Daily Value)
- Potassium 54 mg
- Cholesterol 10 mg
- Magnesium 8 % DV
- Folate 4 % DV
- Zinc 8 % DV
- Riboflavin 20% DV
- Vitamin B6 4 % DV
- Vitamin B12 10% DV
- Vitamin A 1 % DV
- Vitamin C 4 % DV
- Iron 1 % DV
Health benefits of Buttermilk
Buttermilk provides many nutrients to the body that provide multiple health benefits. It can stimulate digestion function and it also can be used to treat of many disorders including abdominal disorders.
Promote healthy digestion: Buttermilk contains probiotic which can promote healthy digestion. Buttermilk contains prebiotic which known as a substance that can enhance the growth of good bacteria inside the colon. These bacteria will keep the intestine and the digestion tract healthy and prevent it from any infection that caused by pathogen microorganism such as Helicobacter pylori. These bacteria are the common cause of stomach or gut ulcer.
Boost immune system: Not only enhance the function of digestion system, the prebiotic content of buttermilk also can promote the body immune system against infection of pathogens. Buttermilk also contains zinc, a mineral that can improve the immune system response and strengthen the immune cells together with Vitamin C.
Maintain strong bones: Calcium is a mineral that effective in maintain the bone mass and keep it strong. Buttermilk contains high level of calcium which can help keep the bone from losing its mass and maintain the bone structure.
Make a glowing skin: Buttermilk will enrich your skin with dozens of nutrients and it will make your skin glow. Buttermilk not only used in food commercial product but it also used in the cosmetic and skin care products. It contains protein, vitamin C and antioxidant that can nourish the skin and make it clearer.
Promotes healthy pregnancy: During pregnancy, mom needs more nutrients to enhance her health and promote the development of her baby. Buttermilk contains protein and other nutrient and prebiotic which can keep mother from suffering any illness or disease. It also contains folate that improve the brain and organs development of the fetus inside the womb. Taking buttermilk once a day is beneficial to both mother and baby.
Treat upset stomach: If you are feeling sick after enjoying spicy food or even bad or spoiled food, try buttermilk. Buttermilk contain protein and amino acids which can bind chemical or harmful substances within the food and protect the stomach lining from infection.
Keeping healthy heart: Heart is one of the most vital organ of human body and it also needs to be nourished. Buttermilk contains some potassium which plays important role in maintaining normal heart beat and helps the body control blood pressure.
Lowering cholesterol: Even though buttermilk has creamy texture and taste it doesn’t contain high amounts of cholesterol. According to study, buttermilk contains milk protein globule that can bind the cholesterol and prevent it from entering the blood vessel and causing atherosclerosis. If you consume a heavy food that contains high amount of cholesterol, consuming buttermilk after eating will significantly help you to stabilize the cholesterol inside the body.
Rehydrate the body: The nutrients in buttermilk assist the body in rehydration. One half cup with sunstroke or dehydration will have you back to feeling good in no time.
Maintain normal metabolism: Metabolism is a body process to produce energy and it required the presence of some metabolic enzymes. Buttermilk contains some nutrients including Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and other B Vitamins that are the component of metabolic enzymes produced by the body. Without the existence of these substances, the body can’t produce the energy needed for maintaining all body cells.
Treat insomnia: Buttermilk contains magnesium that can help the body to relieve some types of sleep deprivation or sleep disorders like insomnia. Magnesium is a mineral that play important role in controlling nervous system and it help to soothe and relax the nerves within the brain. Consume buttermilk one hour before going to sleep.
Improve healthy vision: Not only does it contain protein, fat and other nutrients, buttermilk is also complete with Vitamin A which is mostly required to keep healthy function of retina or eyes. Consuming buttermilk regularly will also help to prevent any eyes disorders like age related macular degeneration.
Treat sunburn: Buttermilk contains smoothing and calming properties that help to treat sunburns. Apply directly to sunburn or pour in bath the soothe burned skin.
Treat diarrhea: It is mentioned in a study that the milk fat content in buttermilk is effective in adding bulk to stool and loosen it so it will be easy to pass the colon. Buttermilk has been used as an Ayurvedic medication for thousands of years to treat diarrhea and other digestive problems.
Prevent anemia: Buttermilk contains iron that plays important role in the red blood cells formation and function. Without the presence of iron, the body can’t form a healthy red blood cell and it will cause poor oxygen and nutrient transport within the body which leads to anemia.
Prevent cancer: Buttermilk contains anti-inflammatory properties and provides antioxidant affects that can help prevent the development of cancer cells.
Moisturize dry hair: Buttermilk can be used in hair treatment as hair mask and it will result in a smooth and shiny hair. Just apply some buttermilk on your hair and leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse it out with warm water. The protein and other nutrients within the buttermilk will nourish your dry hair and make it supple and smooth.
Homemade buttermilk is very easy to make and tastes excellent in pancakes and other flour-based foods. To make buttermilk at home, use the following steps.
- Mix 1 cup of milk with 1 cup of lemon juice. Use a milk product with a higher fat content, such as 2 percent milk, whole milk or cream.
- Let the milk and lemon juice mixture sit for up to 10 minutes. The milk should start to thicken and curdle.
- Substitute the commercial buttermilk for the homemade buttermilk in any recipe that calls for the ingredient.
Another method of making buttermilk involves churning heavy cream into solids and liquids. To use this method, blend some cream in a food processor or mixer until it separates. Strain the solids through some cheesecloth and use the strained buttermilk in any recipe that calls for the ingredient. Rinse out the solids well and set them aside. The solids create an excellent homemade butter that can keep for several weeks.
If homemade or commercial buttermilk are not available, yogurt or sour cream can make good substitutes in recipes that call for the ingredient.