Aside from being an easy snack for the office, yogurt is chock full of ingredients that help your body run smoothly, no matter what age you are.

Although yogurt has long been a staple in the health food world, it has become even more popular thanks to Greek yogurt. Whether you eat it plain, low-fat, greek, frozen, from a tube or a bottle, or in your smoothies, yogurt has health benefits beyond good old calcium. Read on for the lowdown on its many health benefits.

1. The probiotics.
You know yogurt has probiotics because every commercial for yogurt says so, but what does that actually mean? In the simplest of terms, probiotics are good-for-you bacteria. They help in regulating your gut health! What is that? Your digestive system, essentially, and can help in decreasing gas, diarrhea and bloating. Research has even suggested that probiotics can aid in boosting your immune system, help you manage your weight and reduce the risk of cancer. 

Probiotics alone help with so much more than you think! If you are on antibiotics for any kind of ailment, have digestive disturbances, have food poisoning of any kind, suffer from skin conditions, yeast infections or tend to go through major mood swings, this could mean your inner flora is out of balance. In this case, yogurt is your best friend, and if you're not getting enough out of store-bought yogurt that may contain high amounts of sugar, supplements will be super helpful to you. Try Genuine Health's probiotic line-up to get all these benefits and more, for a happy body.

2. The calcium.
Just like all products in the dairy family, yogurt is a great source of calcium, which plays a huge role in the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth. It is also important for blood clotting, healing wounds and maintaining a normal blood pressure. Some yogurts contain vitamin D, which helps the small intestine absorb calcium to its fullest potential, so finding those yogurts or pairing yogurt with foods high in vitamin D is always a good idea.

3. The protein.
Plain yogurt made from whole milk is a rich source of protein, which can increase the absorption of minerals, promote lower blood pressure and aid in weight loss.

4. The vitamins.
Yogurt made with whole milk contains every single nutrient the human body needs. Yogurt contains vitamin B12, which keeps your nerves and red blood cells healthy and can only be found in foods originating from an animal. Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is also in yogurt. This helps the body convert carbohydrates into glucose, or 'food into fuel.' 

Want to incorporate yogurt into your diet, but don't want to be stuck with buying processed, sugary yogurt cups? Check out Canadian Living's recipes:

Mediterranean Yogurt Dip
Chicken and Kale Stew with Chili Yogurt
Strawberry Yogurt Soup
Baked Eggplant with Yogurt Sauce (Boryani)
Berry Greek Yogurt Pops