Kefir Probiotic Drink Benefits, Side Effects and How to Make

Probiotic bacteria are well-known around the world because of the beneficial effects experienced by people who consume them in their daily diets.

One of the oldest traditional foods which is fermented using probiotic bacteria is kefir, a dietary staple in Bulgaria and elsewhere, where it is used as both a probiotic drink and a nutritional supplement.

Kefir probiotics confer numerous health benefits on the user and provide a natural source of these important microorganisms.

Kefir is a fermented milk product which, when ready for consumption, closely resembles a thin, liquid-type of yogurt. This drink contains many species of probiotic bacteria, in addition to multiple vitamins and minerals. It is considered a favorite drink across eastern and northern Europe, Russia and Chile.

Probiotics

Digestive Supplement

Gut Health

Digestion

Immune Function

How It Works:

• Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
• Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
• Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism

Dosage:

Between 1 - 10 Billion CFUs per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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How is Kefir Made?

Kefir is produced by introducing “kefir grains” to milk and allowing a period of time for fermentation to occur.

The artisanal production requires about 24 hours at ambient temperatures with an occasional gentle shake of the container now and again to keep it well mixed.

Kefir “grains” are really a combination of symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeast (often referred to, simply, as SCOBY) which are used as a starter. This is much like the introduction of bacteria which is used as a starter when fermenting milk products into yogurt.

In the case of kefir, the “grains” look a bit like florets of cauliflower.

Lactose in the milk is broken down during fermentation and converted into various acids, including lactic acid. Because most of the lactose is broken down, people with lactose intolerance are often able to drink kefir as a food source of natural probiotics without episodes of bloating or flatulence.

Besides creating a variety of probiotic bacteria, fermentation also produces amino acids, Vitamin B12 (and other B-vitamins), calcium, folate, magnesium, Vitamin K2 and helpful enzymes.

Benefits of Kefir Probiotics

Probiotics found within kefir have many health benefits. Rich in Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, kefir also contains yeast, such as Saccharomyces kefir and Torula kefir, both of which have been shown to be useful in human health.

Other probiotic organisms found in this fermented milk product include Lactobacillus caucasus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter, and Streptococcus.

Animal studies show that consuming fermented foods, like kefir, kills some types of cancerous tumors. One mouse study showed that regular kefir consumption help to stop the growth of breast cancer.

Cholesterol levels may also be directly affected by the consumption of kefir probiotics products. One such study suggests that the bacteria, once in the colon, ferment carbohydrates which were not previously broken down during the early stages of digestion.

This process causes an increase in the production of short-chain fatty acids, thereby decreasing cholesterol concentrations.

Kefir Boosts the Immune System

Kefir probiotics can repopulate the gut, making them invaluable as a digestive aid and affecting food transit time.

Unlike yogurt products, many of the friendly microorganisms in kefir are not transient, but instead colonize and remain in the gastrointestinal tract for longer periods of time, allowing them to effectively compete against the pathogenic bacteria which have taken up residence there.

Kefir probiotics also provide support for strong and appropriate immune function. Over 70 percent of the immune system resides within the gastrointestinal tract, making the balance of the microflora living there an important consideration for good health.

Sources and Side Effects

Kefir can be made at home or purchased in better health food shops, though it can prove to be expensive. Probiotic supplements, in capsule or pill form, can be utilized to mimic the bacterial and yeast combination available in kefir probiotic drinks.

Making a batch of kefir at home will require the purchase of kefir “grains”. The grains can be used again and again and even allowed to reproduce, grow and split to provide additional grains if needed.

Most people can tolerate kefir probiotics products without any side effects, though individuals with yeast sensitivity may not be able to drink kefir products.

Individuals who are lactose intolerant generally do well drinking kefir because almost all of the lactose is fermented into acids and other compounds.

Some people with digestive tract disorders like IBS or Crohn’s Disease may initially experience bloating, acne or abdominal discomfort. These symptoms usually subside with continued use.

Kefir Review

Kefir probiotic drinks offers a unique blend of probiotics and nutrition, making it an all-around healthy choice for nearly everyone, including those with lactose intolerance. Kefir can be made at home, once a starter (“kefir grain”) has been purchased.

Kefir was originally discovered in the Northern Caucasus Mountains on the Russian Steppes. It was only in the 1880s that a German naturalist introduced the beverage in St. Petersburg.

Since that time, kefir probiotics have been valued for their health-giving properties and as a valuable aid in longer life expectancy.

Kefir probiotics are often a potent combination of friendly bacteria and yeast which work symbiotically together to improve digestive health, boost immune function and restore the microflora of the gut.

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