Healthy for the gut – or too much of a good thing?
This is what happens to your body when you consume yogurt every day
Updated 11/22/2025 – 16:45Reading time: 3 minutes
Yogurt is considered healthy because it provides valuable nutrients and is able to balance intestinal flora. But is it really recommended to consume yogurt every day?
Whether in pure form, in muesli, or as a snack in between: yoghurt has long occupied a permanent place on many menus. Natural yoghurt is a very healthy food. However, if the bacterial culture is healthy, hidden sugar and lactose can also cause health problems for some people. In this guide you’ll find out what effect yogurt has on the body – and when it can be too much.
Yoghurt is made by fermenting milk with special lactic acid bacteria, usually including Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. These bacteria convert milk sugar (lactose) into lactic acid – this is what gives yogurt its characteristic acidity and creamy consistency.
Natural yogurt in particular contains many valuable nutrients, including:
In particular, probiotic yoghurt, which is yoghurt containing additional health-promoting strains of bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacterium, is thought to be particularly beneficial for gut health. Read more about this here.
Regular or even daily consumption of yogurt can have positive effects on various areas of health. Including:
1. Healthy intestines, strong immune system
The probiotics it contains improve the balance of intestinal flora. Because about 70 percent of the body’s immune system is located in the intestines, healthy gut flora can strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body.
2. Protection against disease
Studies show that regular consumption of yogurt may be associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Yogurt is also beneficial for bone health thanks to calcium and vitamin D.
3. Supports weight loss
Natural yoghurt is filling and contains few calories – as long as you choose the unsweetened version. The protein it contains contributes to a long-lasting feeling of fullness and can help build muscle.
4. Good for skin and metabolism
Zinc, vitamins B2 and B12 support skin, hair and nails as well as energy metabolism.
Even though yogurt is healthy, not all variants in the refrigerator are good for the body. Fruit yoghurts, drinking yoghurts, or especially “kids’ yoghurts” often contain a lot of sugar, flavorings and additives. Anyone who consumes such products every day quickly consumes unnecessary calories, which in the long term increases the risk of obesity and metabolic disease.
These groups should also pay attention to:
The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends two servings of milk and dairy products every day – such as a glass of milk and a cup of yoghurt weighing 150 to 200 grams. It is best to use natural yoghurt with a maximum fat content of 1.5 percent, without added sugar.
