Can You Drink Buttermilk?

Can You Drink Buttermilk?

Do you know that buttermilk doesn’t contain butter? Yes, it mostly has water, milk protein known as casein, and lactose.

The reason is that this milk is the fluid leftover after converting whole milk into butter. Buttermilk has to undergo homogenization and pasteurization. It also contains lactic acid. These processes make it fit for consumption, as they prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria.

So, can you drink buttermilk? Yes, you can. This milk is highly nutritious and can meet most of your daily health requirements.

What is the Nutritional Value of Butter Milk?

Taking a cup of buttermilk provides your body with:

  • 8 grams of proteins 
  • 12 grams of carbs
  • 3 grams of fat
  • 98 calories
  • 22% of calcium daily value
  • 29% of riboflavin daily value
  • 22% of Vitamin B12 daily value
  • 16% of sodium daily value

Is Buttermilk Good For You?

Yes. The reason is that this milk has lots of microbes that nourish your gut with healthy bacteria. Unfortunately, some people think that bacteria are harmful to the body. But the truth is your body requires these good bacteria to flourish. 

Traditionally, buttermilk was referred to as “grandma’s probiotics”. The reason is that this milk was used in large quantities by grannies to keep harmful bacteria at bay. To date, buttermilk is highly used globally for the same reason. Therefore, this milk is excellent for your health.

However, it’s good to keep in mind some of the following downsides associated with it.

May cause allergic reactions

Some people are intolerant to lactose, a natural sugar present in buttermilk. Although this milk is easily digested, those that are sensitive to lactose may experience mild health problems.

These include:

  • Stomachache
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloating

Furthermore, some people are naturally allergic to milk. They should not consume buttermilk at all as it can result in these problems:

  • Stomachache
  • Wheezing
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Eczema 

High in sodium

Most dairy products like milk contain sodium, though not in high quantities. Some people are sensitive to salt. Therefore, when they consume buttermilk, it can result in high blood pressure problems. This can lead to kidney and heart diseases.

Consequently, it’s advisable to check the nutritional label while buying buttermilk. This ensures you don’t pick the one with sodium levels beyond 140mg.

Are there Benefits to Consuming Buttermilk?

There are several beneficial effects associated with drinking buttermilk.

It improves your blood pressure, helps digestion, detoxifies your body, lowers cholesterol levels, and boosts bone and oral health.

Benefit #1: Improve Blood Pressure

People with high blood pressure issues are advised to take buttermilk along with other foods. The reason is that this milk contains bioactive peptides, which help manage hypertension.

Also, the peptides help develop the ACE enzyme, which helps regulate blood pressure.

Benefit #2: Help in Digestion

Do you have digestive problems? Nutritionists advise that it’s healthier to drink buttermilk than skim milk. The reason behind this is that buttermilk is easily digested. When taken along with high protein and fatty foods, the digestion process becomes easy.

Furthermore, buttermilk prepared at home is packed with probiotics. These help build helpful bacteria in the guts and stomach. This aids in nutrition and combating digestive problems.

For this digestive property to work, you must ensure your buttermilk has live cultures. 

Benefit #3: Lower Cholesterol Levels

Study shows that taking 1/5 cup of buttermilk every day helps reduce total cholesterol in eight weeks. Additionally, it reduces bad or elevated LDL cholesterol by 3% in the same duration.

Sphingolipid compounds contribute to this effect in buttermilk, which prevents the assimilation of cholesterol in the gut. Also, the milk fat globule membrane present in it helps in cholesterol-lowering.

Benefit #4: Detoxify Your Body

Buttermilk has high levels of riboflavin and vitamin B-2. These nutrients accelerate energy production by triggering the enzymes in your cells. They also help in the production of uric acid, which acts as an antioxidant.

Riboflavin also aids in liver functioning. This process helps eliminate toxins from your body. Therefore, adding a cup of buttermilk to your diet every day keeps you healthy.

Benefit #5: Boost Bone Health

Dairy products, especially milk, contain several minerals that help in strengthening the bones.

These include:

  • Vitamin K2
  • Vitamin D
  • Calcium
  • Phosphorous

Studies show that for the formation of healthy bones and the management of bone diseases, these nutrients are essential. People who take buttermilk regularly are resistant to bone diseases like osteoporosis.

Benefit #6: Good for Oral Health

Buttermilk is an anti-inflammatory dairy product. This property makes it vital in managing periodontitis, which is an inflammation of the gums. Periodontal bacteria cause the condition. 

People who suffer from oral inflammation are advised to consume dairy products like buttermilk. The reason is that it has an anti-inflammation impact on the skin cells in your mouth.

The calcium present in this milk also helps in managing periodontitis.

How Can You Drink Buttermilk?

Here are some of the ways you can enjoy your buttermilk:

  1. Making Breakfast. Use your buttermilk to make tasty, fluffy pancakes and scones. You can also add it to your oatmeal for a healthy breakfast.
  2. Baking. You can add buttermilk to your baking ingredients for better results. The reason is, it is slightly acidity which makes your bread rise. You can also bake flaky biscuits using this milk.
  3. Marinate Your Meat. For tender meat, buttermilk is the way to go. It’s actually one of the best marinades due to its slightly acidic nature.
  4. Making Soups and Sauces. Buttermilk is perfect for making creamy soups due to its creaminess and flavor. These properties make it better than regular low-fat milk when making sauces. 
  5. Making Deserts. The moistness in this milk makes it ideal for preparing desserts, especially custardy buttermilk pie.
  6. Use It As a Beverage. Some people like drinking this milk straight up.

Final Thoughts

  • Buttermilk consists of water, casein, and lactose. It is homogenized, pasteurized, and cultured to make it healthy.
  • It is suitable for your health. It has microbes and probiotics that help nourish your gut with healthy bacteria.
  • There are a few downsides associated with consuming buttermilk. They include; causing allergic reactions to lactose-intolerant people and have high sodium levels, which can cause blood pressure problems.
  • This milk improves your blood pressure, helps digestion, detox your body, lowers cholesterol levels, and boosts bone and oral health.
  • You can take your buttermilk with any breakfast cereal, use it when baking, marinate your meat, and make soups and desserts.