5 Benefits of Lassi | 3 Types of Lassi With Recipe

Lassi is a drink that is made by churning curd with water. Rich with the goodness of curd, lassi is a powerful digestion booster. As curd is a natural cooler it balances the internal temperature of the body. Lassi is a natural, homemade cold beverage that is beneficial to all the packaged soft drinks combined together. Made by mixing curd with cold water, sugar adds to its taste.  Read on to know about the benefits of lassi.

Benefits of Lassi

Lassi is helpful in promoting the digestive health of the body. It is a probiotic drink as it contains curd and thus soothes the digestive tract by stabilizing the good bacterial colony. To make it tastier, today there are various flavoured lassis available that are made by adding fresh fruits to the lassi. 

Let’s discuss some of the benefits of Lassi:

1. Aids Digestion

As lassi contains curd which is a probiotic, it is a very good digestion promoter. Curd is devoid of lactose and therefore lassi can be consumed by those who are intolerant to lactose. It creates a protective layer around the digestive tract that helps in better performance of the digestive juices. It also decreases the transit time of the food in the intestines. 

After you have had a rich meal, a glass of lassi can cool down your stomach and prevent indigestion or gas formation. Being a coolant, it cools down the stomach and prevents burning sensation in the gut.

2. Prevents Stomach Problems Like Bloating

During summer our bodies always feel dehydrated and thirsty. It looks for cooling beverages and drinks to quench the thirst. Drinking plenty of water makes the body retain fluid that causes bloating. Lassi can be a very good drink to prevent bloating as it contains live bacteria that enhances the internal temperature of our body. 

Other stomach problems like burning sensations, gas formations can also be prevented by lassi as it cools down the body and helps it maintain a stable temperature. 

3. Good source of Probiotics

Our body needs a constant supply of probiotics to maintain the population of healthy bacteria in its inner linings. Curd contains good bacteria that help in promoting the immunity of the digestive tracts as well as the food tract.

Probiotics keep our skin look fresh as well as healthy. Lassi also aids in keeping the heart healthy. Some probiotics have also shown effects in uplifting our mood. 

Also read Is curd good for an upset stomach?

3. Improves Bone Health

Our bones need calcium to stay stronger and healthier. Milk is a good source of calcium and minerals like magnesium and potassium that helps in keeping the bones healthy.  A hundred grams of curd contains about 83 milligrams of calcium.

Thus lassi can prove to be very helpful for people who are suffering from bone issues. Older people are often advised to consume curd in the form of lassi to enhance their bone health. A good diet of calcium helps in keeping the density of bones normal. 

Also read 11 Benefits and Side Effects of Mandarin Oranges

4. Boosts Immune System

Curd has shown positive results in promoting the immune system. In various surveys, it has been seen that people who consume curd daily for four months have immunity 4 times stronger than people who do not. 

Lassi is a drink rich in curd. It helps in keeping the population of good bacteria stable in the guts which fight against the harmful bacteria that enter our body through food. Lassi being a probiotic maintains the immunity of the digestive system.

Lassi also contains Vitamin D that is an essential component to keep the immunity stronger. It is one of the most important benefits of lassi.

Also read 17 Immunity Boosting Foods

5. Reduces Cholesterol and Boosts Metabolism

As curd is a good probiotic, it has a property to increase metabolism. The increase of metabolism means an increase in the rate of body functions including digestion. A higher rate of metabolism leads to BMI or body mass index.

It also lowers the cholesterol-containing molecules in the blood. LDL or bad cholesterol is also less in people consuming curd regularly than people who do not.

Levels of triglycerides, blood sugar and pressure also tend to show a decline if curd is consumed regularly in any form like lassi. HDL or good cholesterol, on the other hand, increases with the consumption of curd.  

Related Read 8 Health and Beauty Benefits of Curd

Types of Lassi

1. Classic Lassi

As the name suggests, this is the classic or traditional style of making lassi. Lassi is an authentic Punjabi drink with a creamy layer of curd and served in Matkas made from soil. Matkas are considered to increase the taste of the lassi. 

With a smooth texture, it is best enjoyed on a hot summer day. It is made by simply mixing curd with cold water. 

2. Mint Lassi

Mint Lassi is one of the popular varieties of lassi with a uniquely refreshing taste brought in by the mint leaves. The taste of mint adds an extra zing to the taste of lassi and elevates the soothing feeling.

It is made by blending dried mint leaves with curd and sugar in a blender along with cold water. Ice cubes are later added to the drink and served by garnishing with fresh mint leaves. 

3. Avocado Lassi

Also known as Butter fruit, Avocado is a tropical fruit with a creamy texture that has numerous health benefits. Avocado lassi is a popular type of lassi that is very famous among children.

It is made by finely chopping the Avocados into small pieces and adding them into a blender along with curd, cold water, sugar, green cardamom and rose water. Cardamom and rose water increase the taste of the lassi. 

4. Banana Walnut Lassi

Considered to be the most nutritious type of lassi, Banana Walnut lassi is filled with the goodness of walnuts and mushy bananas. To make this lassi, bananas are chopped into small pieces and added to a blender with walnuts, whey powder, curd, sesame seeds and honey.

Coldwater is added according to the required consistency. It can be taken as a healthy meal if you are planning to lose weight. 

5. Mango Lassi

One of the traditional types of lassi, the Mango Lassi is loaded with the goodness of curd and tasty mangoes. It is a very popular lassi and often made to quench the thirst during the scorching summer. Ripe mangoes are chopped and added to a blender along with curd and sugar. It is served with ice. 

How To Make Lassi? Easy Recipe of Lassi

Now that you know about the benefits of lassi, let’s learn some delicious lassi recipes. A traditional Punjabi glass of lassi consists of a thick frothy layer of curd on top of the glass followed by cold lassi. It is very easy to make and needs just a few minutes. 

Ingredients: 

• Curd 
• Coldwater/ Milk
• Green cardamom
• Sugar
• Garnishing- crushed nuts or saffron.

Preparation time- 15 minutes

Procedure:

• Take a bowl and add a generous amount of curd. 
• Whisk the curd continuously until it becomes a smooth and creamy liquid. You can take a traditional churner, a hand blender, or a metal wire whisker or even put it in a blender. 
• Take the cardamom and crush the seeds to make a smooth powder. 
• Add the desired amount of sugar to the curd.
• Add the cardamom powder to the curd and mix well until there is no lump.
• Add cold water to it from a height so that a frothy layer develops on top. 
• Pour the lassi in a serving glass and add a spoonful of fresh curd on top.
• Garnish with freshly chopped nuts or saffron. 

Lassi is ready to serve. You can add ice cubes to enjoy it better on a summer day. 

Also read 6 Major Side Effects of Honey

Hope you liked this article on the benefits of lassi.

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