Final answer:
The ingredient found in the largest quantity in yogurt is milk, as ingredients are listed by weight from most to least. Yogurt's health benefits are due to probiotics, mainly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which support digestive health and immune function. It's essential to look for "live, active cultures" listed on yogurt containers to ensure these benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the ingredient list on food products, ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity. Therefore, the ingredient found in the largest quantity in the yogurt is the first one listed, which is typically milk due to yogurt being made from milk fermented with bacteria.
The health benefits of eating yogurt include the probiotic effect of live bacteria that can promote good digestive health and a well-balanced immune response. Notably, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are two genera of bacteria that are associated with these positive health benefits. These bacteria ferment the milk sugars and release lactic acid, which changes the structure of the proteins in the milk and creates yogurt.
In considering the health benefits of commercially prepared versus homemade yogurt, it is important to verify if they contain "live, active cultures". Commercial yogurts often list the types of bacteria, like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium (both bacilli), and Streptococcus spp. (cocci). When assessing the health benefits, especially the probiotic benefits, the presence of these live cultures is crucial.