Skyr is an original dairy product from Iceland that continues to grow in popularity in the refrigerators of our country. It is very similar to yogurt, so it is perfect to consume as breakfast, snack or dessert, either alone or accompanied by fresh fruit, nuts, oatmeal...
Beyond its rich flavor, it stands out for its properties. It is low in calories, fats and sugars, but rich in proteins, calcium and nutrients that are very beneficial for health. Therefore, it is especially interesting in the diet of athletes, children and the elderly.
Although it resembles yogurt in its flavor and texture, the truth is that its composition is more similar to cheese. It is made with fermented skimmed milk – from cows or sheep – to which live cultures of bacteria and yeast are added. It is then allowed to thicken and finally strained to remove the whey.
Thanks to its high protein content, it helps prevent the loss of muscle mass and is very satiating. This, added to the fact that it is low in calories and fat, makes it an ideal food for people who want to maintain a healthy weight. In addition, it is an excellent source of calcium, protein, phosphorus and vitamin B-12, and also includes – although to a lesser extent – potassium and vitamin B2.
Precisely because of its rich calcium content, it is very beneficial in the diet of older adults, as it helps maintain strong bones, care for cardiovascular health and control blood pressure.
It is well known that calcium is essential for bone care. As we age, the loss of bone density accelerates – especially in women as a result of menopause – thus increasing the risk of suffering from pathologies such as osteoporosis and the probability of suffering fractures and injuries. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology
Another research published by Nutrition Journal found that consuming three daily servings of dairy products has beneficial effects on ambulatory systolic blood pressure, compared to a heart-healthy diet without dairy. However, this improvement was only seen in men, although not in women. What did improve in both sexes was endothelial function, responsible for regulating systemic blood flow.
Likewise, research available in the Journal of Epidemiology studied the association between dairy consumption and death from cardiovascular disease in the Japanese population, corroborating that the intake of milk and its derivatives was inversely associated with the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
