Is it okay to drink yogurt on an empty stomach?

Healthy individuals can drink yogurt on an empty stomach, but those with weak gastrointestinal systems are not recommended to do so. Yogurt is a sweet and sour milk beverage made from milk as the raw material. After pasteurization, beneficial bacteria are added to the milk, which is then fermented and cooled before being packaged. Compared to milk, yogurt is easier to digest and absorb, supplementing the body with high-quality protein, calcium, and probiotics, which help regulate intestinal function, lubricate the intestines and relieve constipation, nourish the stomach, and aid digestion. Pepsin functions in an acidic environment, and the concentration of gastric acid is usually higher than that of yogurt. When yogurt enters the stomach, it has a minimal impact on the stomach's acidic environment, so yogurt usually does not affect the body's normal digestive function. Therefore, healthy individuals can drink yogurt on an empty stomach.

For patients with gastritis, gastric ulcers, and other conditions that weaken gastrointestinal function, drinking yogurt on an empty stomach is not recommended as it can easily irritate the gastric mucosa and cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Although healthy individuals can drink yogurt on an empty stomach, it is still not recommended to do so. This is because the acidity in the stomach is high when it is empty, and the lactic acid bacteria in yogurt can easily be killed by gastric acid, reducing its health benefits. The best time to drink yogurt is 1 to 2 hours after meals, as the gastric juice is diluted after eating, and the pH level in the stomach is most suitable for the growth of lactic acid bacteria. Drinking yogurt at this time will enhance its health benefits.