But kefir has even more going for it. It’s a fermented beverage, which means it’s loaded with good-for-your-gut probiotics. Here, learn more about kefir, its history, how it became a trendy item, and the health benefits it may offer.
What Is Kefir And Why Have I Been Hearing About It So Much?
Kefir is a fermented milk drink that can be made from any type of milk — goat, cow, coconut, rice, soy, sheep, you name it. It’s traditionally made by culturing milk with kefir grains, which are a mixture of bacteria and yeasts. (1) You’ll find kefir in the dairy aisle, likely near the yogurt, or maybe in the refrigerated portion of the natural foods section. In fact, it’s pretty similar to yogurt, but it’s not quite as thick. Think of kefir as a drinkable yogurt with a tangy, slightly acidic flavor. You may have heard of kefir for the first time in recent years, but it’s not new. Kefir originated thousands of years ago in the Caucasus Mountains in Russia, and it has a long history in Eastern European countries. The word “kefir” comes from a Turkish word that means “feeling good.” (1,2) Kefir grains also have a history in Muslim culture and were considered gifts from Allah. Kefir has become increasingly popular as researchers have studied the health benefits of the drink. It’s loaded with probiotics (and can have more than 50 different types!), which have been a buzzword in the nutrition world in recent years. (1,3) Probiotics are bacteria that are added to existing bacteria in the gut. Often, kefir is enriched with vitamins and minerals that up its healthy quotient. (1) And good news if you’re lactose intolerant: A small study found that kefir improved the way people with lactose issues tolerated and digested lactose. In fact, because it’s fermented, kefir itself is about 99 percent lactose-free. (The good bacteria eat up the lactose, which is milk sugar.) So don’t consider it off-limits just because it’s considered a dairy product. (1) Here is the nutritional info for 1 cup of low-fat cow’s milk kefir with no added sugar, for example: (4)
110 calories11 grams (g) protein (22 percent daily value, or DV) (5)2 g fat (3 percent DV) (6)12 g carbohydrates (4 percent DV) (7)12 g sugar390 milligrams calcium (30 percent DV)90 micrograms vitamin A (10 percent DV)
A Healthy Gut Fermented foods like kefir are rich in probiotics, which are good bacteria that can aid digestion and immunity. (5)Antibacterial Properties It may seem backward that kefir, which is loaded with bacteria, helps protect against certain strains of bad bacteria, but it’s true. (1)Strong Bones That’s the calcium hard at work. It promotes strong bones and helps protect against osteoporosis and fractures. (6)Lower Cholesterol Animal studies have found that kefir can lower high cholesterol, but studies involving humans haven’t verified these findings, so more research is needed before this possible benefit is confirmed. (7)Anticancer Properties A few animal studies found that kefir has the ability to inhibit the growth of tumors, but again, more research is needed to learn whether the same effects would be seen in humans. (1)Healing Wounds In one animal study, wounds healed more quickly when they were treated with a topical gel made from kefir grains, suggesting another possible benefit of this fermented food. (8)Blood Sugar Control A 2015 study found that study participants with type 2 diabetes who drank 600 milliliters (about 2.5 cups) of kefir each day had lower HbA1C readings — a two- to three-month average of blood sugar levels — than those in the control group. (9)Allergy Aid A study involving animals with asthma found that kefir helped ease allergy symptoms and inflammation. (10) Human studies are needed to support the theory, however.
There are many different versions of kefir. (8) There’s nonfat, low-fat, and full-fat kefir, as well as some varieties made from nondairy milk. You’ll also find flavored types of kefir, such as strawberry or chocolate. You might hear kefir referred to as kefir milk or kefir yogurt, but kefir is neither milk nor yogurt — it’s somewhere in between. There is, however, a beverage called water kefir. Like regular kefir, it starts with kefir grains (or a water kefir starter kit). But instead of milk, it’s mixed with water, sugar, and usually some type of flavoring. Not all strains of bacteria are good, though. The state of your gut health could change quickly, maybe even over the course of a day, mostly based on what you’re eating. Taking in probiotics from outside food sources can help keep the gut balanced. Oftentimes, the probiotics you find in probiotic-rich foods are the same good ones that already exist in the body. The general idea is that probiotics help keep the gut bacteria happy by pushing out or minimizing the effect of bad bacteria and returning the intestines to a healthy place if things get out of balance. (12) There are other ways to source probiotics through food, such as by eating sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and miso. Kefir is generally considered one of the greatest sources of probiotics, but it’s hard to say which one is best for you since taste and your body’s reaction should be considered. After all, the probiotics won’t do you much good if you find the food too hard to stomach! There are some things to be cautious about, though. First, the calorie count can differ depending on the type of milk used, so keep that in mind if weight loss is a goal of yours. One cup of kefir made with fat-free milk may have slightly over 100 calories, while kefir made with whole milk could reach 200 calories. (14) The whole-milk versions also contain higher amounts of saturated fat, which you should be careful not to get too much of, especially if you’re keeping an eye on your cholesterol or heart health. Take a peek at the added sugars when you’re in the dairy aisle choosing which brand or variety of kefir is best. You’ll probably notice that the flavored varieties have significantly more added sugars, usually about 8 g of added sugars per serving. The best choice is a plain variety of kefir or one with a label that indicates there’s no added sugar. Note that even plain kefir will contain some sugar from the naturally occurring lactose in milk. According to a 2019 study, some people reported experiencing some negative digestive side effects, such as gas or nausea, after drinking probiotic products like kefir. People with weakened immune systems, such as someone who has an autoimmune disease or has recently had surgery, should consult a doctor before loading up on probiotics because it’s possible that the probiotics will increase the risk of infection. (12) You can also make kefir yourself. To get started, you’ll need to purchase a kefir grain starter kit, which you can buy once and then reuse forever. Like kefir you’d find at the store, kefir grains should also be kept in a cool, refrigerated environment. Here are the usual steps: (15) You can reuse the kefir grains, which will expand by about 5 to 7 percent each time you make kefir. (2) Store the grains in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to make your next drink. (2)
