Superfood Spotlight: Milk Kefir
Kefir seems like it is taking the world by storm. You can see it in stores everywhere, but do you really know what it is? If you don’t, now is a good time to get familiar because not only are there a host of beneficial effects from including it in your diet, it’s also quite tasty! Let’s take a look and see what the hype is about and get familiar with Kefir.
A Time Honoured Traditional Beverage, With Good Reason
Kefir is a tradition beverage from the Caucasus mountains, where Europe meets Asia. Named after the Turkish word Keif, translated into meaning essentially “good feeling”, it has been consumed for centuries as a delicious beverage or snack that tastes great and promotes good health. It is a type of fermented beverage that is a beneficial addition to any diet because It works as a probiotic that promotes the production of gut flora. Additionally, it is packed with vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy diet. Do you need more reasons to try it for yourself?
What is it made from?
Kefir is made by fermenting milk, including almond or coconut, or water to create a slightly fizzy beverage that is great addition to any diet. While it can definitely be called an acquired taste, the health benefits are something everyone can enjoy.
Bring the Benefits of Kefir into Your Life
Because of its natural probiotic qualities, Kefir is a great way to promote gut health as well as adding a boost of essential vitamins and minerals including phosphorous, vitamin K2, and calcium to your diet. Another great Kefir benefit, is that it has also been shown to assist digestion for those with lactose intolerance. Additionally, for those that don’t eat dairy because they are lactose intolerant or vegan, the micro-organisms that live in Kefir are the same that are cultured in many popular dairy products. Because of this, some strains of Kefir work as a dairy alternative for those concerned with gut health but don’t eat yogurts or other gut friendly, milk-based foods due to dietary constraints, allergy or sensitivity.
Another health benefit of Kefir is that it has been shown to work as a natural anti-inflammatory for the gastro-intestinal tract, which can be very beneficial to those suffering from gastro intestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), or infections such as those caused by Salmonella, E. coli, or Bacillus cereus.
A Way to Increase Your Health and Boost Your Immune System
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of Kefir is to those that been using antibiotics recently. While antibiotics are often necessary in our health conscious culture, they can sometimes cause a great deal of problems for the body, including reduced stomach flora, which is one of the bodies main defences for digestive health.
Most people understand that antibiotics kill bacteria, mostly the harmful kind. Unfortunately, some of the good bacteria is also sacrificed in this process. For people who are just healing after illness, they need all the help from their immune system, as well as their body functioning properly in order to fully recover. By adding Kefir to your diet, you can replenish the bacteria that your body needs to stay healthy which is vital so that your body can heal.
Is Kefir in Your Future?
With all of the potential benefits that can be had, don’t you think that you owe it to yourself to give Kefir a try? Check out our selection of kefir grains and equipment to see which is right for you, and see for yourself just how awesome this drinkable superfood can be for your overall wellness and wellbeing.
Check out what others are saying about kefir in our testimonials page.
References:
Barth C, de Vrese M, Keller B. Enhancement of intestinal hydrolysis of lactose by microbial {beta}-galactosidase of kefir. British Journal Of Nutrition [serial online] . January 1992;67(1):67. Available from: Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 5, 2017.
Keiley L. How to make your own yogurt, kefir, chevre: tap the benefits of delicious fermented milk products. Mother Earth News [serial online] . 2005:116. Available from: General OneFile, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 5, 2017.
Stephen Moses J, Sirirat D. Properties and benefits of kefir -A review. Songklanakarin Journal Of Science And Technology, Vol 37, Iss 3, Pp 275-282 (2015) [serial online] . 2015;(3):275. Available from: Directory of Open Access Journals, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 5, 2017.
