Long ago when refrigeration was not available and milk would spoil humans invented ways to preserve food via fermenting to lengthen its shelf life. Kefir is one example of this. Kefir is a yogurt-like fermented drink made from Kefir grains, a natural lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast. When added to milk, Kefir grains create a wonderful tart and refreshing drink that offers many health benefits. 

What Is Kefir?

Kefir is an enzyme-rich food filled with friendly microorganisms which balance healthy organisms in your body. Having more nutrients than yogurt, Kefir supplies complete vegetarian protein, essential minerals and valuable B vitamins.

Kefir can be made from any type of milk, cow, goat or sheep, coconut, rice or soy.

For the lactose intolerant, Kefir’s abundance of beneficial yeast and bacteria provides lactase, an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose sugar left after the culturing process. This makes it easier to digest for those who are sensitive to lactose.

You can also make Kefir with water. This is called Tibicos and dried fruit like figs and dates plus lemon juice are traditionally added.

Key Health Benefits of Kefir & Its Uses

Kefir has been used for hundreds of years if not longer as a nutritional beverage and cure-all for most illnesses. Traditionally it was used in northern Europe and Russia for stomach ailments, diarrhea, or colds and flu. 

Today Kefir is used both nutritionally and for culinary purposes. It can be used to make sourdough bread, as a substitute for buttermilk in baking, in soups and place of milk on cereal.

Today Kefir is used to heal issues like Leaky Gut, IBS, reflux and chronic indigestion. It can also be used for skin afflictions and bowel disturbances like constipation and diarrhea. It’s great for vegetarians and those with low bone density as in Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.

Exploring How Kefir Works In Your Body To Provide Healthy Benefits

Because Kefir is one of the most probiotic-rich foods available it’s great for those with digestive conditions which originate from an imbalance of gut flora. Such is the case with antibiotic use. It’s also great for those who want to get probiotics from their food.

Kefir has all the essential amino acids you need to make any protein you need; as such it’s considered a complete protein. This makes it a staple for Ova-lacto vegetarians or for those wanting to reduce animal meat, which is important in cardiovascular disease.

Kefir offers other nutritional value too. As it ferments the bacteria and yeast produce essential vitamins and minerals like B Vitamins, Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin K2 and Biotin. This makes Kefir highly beneficial to your bone mineral density by supplying critical minerals and nutrients your bones need.

Taking Kefir Products & Supplements

Kefir can be drunk straight or added to health shakes, baking, and soups.

Kefir can be store-bought or made at home by purchasing Kefir grains from your local health food store or online.