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Is Yogurt Ice Cream Healthier Than Regular Ice Cream? Health Fact Check
🇰🇷 South Korea /Health & Science

Is Yogurt Ice Cream Healthier Than Regular Ice Cream? Health Fact Check

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Frozen yogurt may have less fat than traditional ice cream but can contain more sugar and calories depending on toppings and portion size.
  • While often perceived as healthier due to probiotics, the viability of these beneficial bacteria in frozen yogurt is uncertain and depends on product and storage conditions.
  • Many commercially available frozen yogurts are ultra-processed foods, and their consumption is linked to various health issues, suggesting that portion size and toppings are more critical than the dessert type itself.

Frozen yogurt is often marketed as a healthier alternative to ice cream, primarily due to its lower fat content and the presence of probiotics. However, experts caution that this perception can be misleading.

Some advantages exist, but it is difficult to consider it a healthy food.

— Nutritionists and food scientistsSummarizing the general consensus on frozen yogurt's health benefits.

While it's true that frozen yogurt typically contains less milk fat than ice cream, often around 3-4% compared to the minimum 10% required for ice cream in the U.S., this benefit can be offset by higher sugar content. Manufacturers sometimes add more sugar to frozen yogurt to counteract its natural tartness. Comparisons of products sold in the U.S. have revealed instances where some frozen yogurts, despite slightly lower calories, contained more added sugar than ice cream. This highlights that the choice between the two desserts is not always a clear win for frozen yogurt.

Frozen yogurt can have less fat than regular ice cream, but health effects can vary depending on sugar, toppings, and intake.

— SourceGeneral statement about frozen yogurt's nutritional profile.

The purported health benefits of probiotics in frozen yogurt are also questionable. Although the yogurt base may contain live cultures, their effectiveness in the final frozen product is not well-established. Research indicates that the type and quantity of probiotics vary significantly between products, and their viability is sensitive to storage temperatures. Therefore, the presence of "probiotics" on a label does not guarantee the same gut health benefits as consuming yogurt directly.

Frozen yogurt typically contains 3-4% milk fat, while ice cream must contain at least 10%.

— Scott Rankin, Professor of Food Science at the University of WisconsinExplaining the difference in fat content between frozen yogurt and ice cream.

Furthermore, many commercial frozen yogurts fall into the category of ultra-processed foods, containing stabilizers, emulsifiers, and thickeners to maintain their texture. Studies have linked high consumption of ultra-processed foods to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Experts also point to the "health halo effect," where the perception of a food as healthy can lead consumers to overindulge or make less healthy choices with toppings. This can easily negate any potential calorie or fat savings, making the amount consumed and the choice of toppings more crucial factors for health than the dessert's base type.

The type and amount of live probiotics vary greatly by product, making it difficult to generalize actual effects.

— Maria Marco, Food Scientist at the University of California, DavisDiscussing the uncertainty of probiotic benefits in frozen yogurt.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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