New Delhi: Buttermilk, or chaas in Hindi, is a very common drink in most Indian households, especially during the summer months due to its hydration properties. This refreshing drink can be consumed every day, either by itself or after a meal, and has been linked to a number of benefits for your skin, hair, body weight, and overall health. Contrary to what its name suggests, buttermilk is not a blend of butter and milk, it is actually a derivative of the butter mixing process.

Buttermilk is often made using a few spoons of natural yogurt, water, and spices like cumin powder, pepper, ginger, curry leaves, coriander leaves, green chilies, and salt to enhance its taste and healing properties. The drink comes loaded with vitamins and minerals needed by your body to stay strong and healthy. Here are five reasons why you should add buttermilk to your summer diet.

Improves digestion: Buttermilk is made using a variety of spices, such as ginger, pepper, and cumin seeds, all of which make excellent digestive agents that can help wash down any oily foods and soothe the lining of the stomach when consumed after a heavy meal. The drink may be one of the best home remedies to reduce body heat and fight indigestion. Aside from promoting digestion, the probiotic microbes in buttermilk can prevent the growth of bacteria that can lead to stomach infections. Riboflavin, a type of vitamin found in buttermilk helps your liver to function properly and assist in the detoxification.

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Aids weight loss: Buttermilk is also a great drink for weight loss due to its low-fat content. This cooling summer drink is high in vitamins, minerals, nutrients such as protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and other enzymes that can help maintain energy levels sans the fat. It can promote satiety, which means you’re less likely to snack on unhealthy food items, hence, making it a perfect drink for those trying to slim down.

Nourishes your body: This delicious drink contains all essential micronutrients required for a well-balanced diet. It has minimal lipids but rich in proteins, calcium, and other nutrients like potassium, iron, zinc and vitamins A, B, D, and E, making it a complete meal that can help nourish your body and should be consumed regularly. It is believed that buttermilk has amazing astringent properties that can help deeply nourish and moisturise the skin, making it an excellent remedy to tighten and firm your skin.

Lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol: Drinking a tall glass of buttermilk could be a smart way to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in healthy ranges. Various studies suggest that drinking buttermilk every day may help lower blood pressure as it contains milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) protein that has been shown to have cholesterol-lowering, antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. Also, one study published by the US national institute of health found that buttermilk has components that are very effective in keeping your cholesterol levels under control.

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Prevents dehydration: It seems buttermilk is an excellent drink to prevent dehydration as it is packed with electrolytes, particularly potassium, and water which forms over 90 per cent of the drink. Drinking buttermilk can help fight the heat and maintain water balance in the body.