PressMediaWire.com (Press Release Distribution) – Apr 04,2012 –

As swimsuit season approaches, many Americans have weight loss on their minds. But what’s even more important than losing inches? Losing pounds. Losing weight can help lower risk factors for deadly conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, and Type 2 Diabetes.

“Greek Yogurt is one of the many healthful foods that come from the Mediterranean,” says Nikko Generales B.S., a writer for the Voskos Greek Yogurt What’s Fresh blog. “The Mediterranean diet originated in Greece and has been followed by both Athenians and island villagers for centuries. As a result, these people have lower rates of obesity — and thus lower rates of heart disease and hypertension — than those following the typical American diet.”

The Mediterranean diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, seeds, olive oil, herbs and spices, plus moderate amounts of fish, eggs, and poultry, and small amounts of red meat. Of course, it also includes high-protein Greek yogurt such as Voskos.

“The benefits of this regimen are clear,” says Generales. “An evaluation of 1.5 million Americans has linked this diet to a decrease in cardiovascular related deaths, a reduction in cancer incidence and mortality rates, as well as a decrease in rates of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.”

The value of Greek yogurt in the Mediterranean diet seems to come from the probiotic bacteria, which have displayed cholesterol-lowering effects in clinical settings. “According to one study,” says Generales, “eating just 200 grams of yogurt containing L. acidophilus, such as that found in Voskos Greek Yogurt, can help decrease serum cholesterol levels by up to 2.9%.”  In other studies, Greek yogurt consumption has been linked to loss of belly fat. “This is the kind of metabolically active fat that is linked to heart disease,” says Generales. “So the fact that Greek yogurt helps you lose belly fat can help improve your heart health as well.”

Voskos Greek Yogurt has been recognized in awards contests presented by Fitness magazine, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, Natural Solutions, Self Magazine and Cooking Light magazine. Visit the Voskos Web site for dozens of Greek yogurt recipes for high-protein, low-carbohydrate breakfasts, appetizers, entrees and snacks.

About Voskos Greek Yogurt
Award-winning for its thick, rich taste and nutritional value, Voskos Greek Yogurt is all-natural, hormone-free, gluten-free, and Kosher certified. Through Voskos’ proprietary ProStrain™ method, Voskos yields two times more protein, more probiotics, less lactose, and a thicker, creamier consistency. Voskos offers an organic Greek yogurt line and all-natural line in both plain and blended flavors. Available nationwide, retailing between $1.49 – $2.99 in stores such as Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Bi-Lo, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and more. For store locations, and to download a coupon, visit Voskos.com or Facebook.com/Voskos.Greek.Yogurt today.

About Nikko Generales
Nikko’s passion for health and fitness stems from his aspiration to become a physician. He earned his B.S. in Physiology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and is currently working on orphan drug research at the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. He believes that people should be proactive in asking questions and educating themselves on how to live a healthy lifestyle.