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Health Benefits of Kefir




Yum

June 7, 2013 by Andrea Fabry Leave a Comment

Hippocrates said that our food is our medicine, and our medicine is our food. Nothing illustrates this more than the probiotic food kefir.

I feel like I’m running a compounding pharmacy every time I make it. Kefir is made using “grains” to ferment any milk (goat, cow, coconut, etc.), incorporating their beneficial organisms to create the cultured product. The grains look like clumps of cauliflower but are clusters of healthy yeasts and bacteria.

Kefir is pronounced Ke-Feer, according to the dictionary. It is more commonly pronounced Kee’ fir. At our house, we call it Keff ‘ it. When it comes to pronunciation, anything goes.

Health benefits of kefir

Kefir means “feel good” in Turkish. It is a complete protein and is high in minerals and vitamins, especially the B vitamins. Homemade kefir contains up to 35 strains of good bacteria and yeast (as opposed to yogurt, which contains a handful). Bottled kefir purchased at the store may contain up to 10 strains but often includes unwanted additives. Kefir, therefore, is best when it’s homemade.

According to Gabriel Cousens in his book Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine,

Because of kefir’s ability to establish healthy bowel flora, it is beneficial in preventing many gastrointestinal disorders. Some researchers have found that kefir also exudes bacterial inhibitory factors, which prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. In this sense, it acts as a natural antibiotic. Some studies show that kefir whey neutralizes most pathogenic bacteria within 24 hours.

A peer-reviewed study conducted in Japan found that kefir can protect against harmful levels of radiation. According to the abstract’s conclusion,

This study indicated that kefir protects colonic crypt cells against radiation-induced apoptosis, which was most pronounced in the stem cell region of the crypt. The antiapoptotic effect of fermented milk kefir was due to the inhibition of caspase-3 activation.

Dairy kefir also contains tryptophan, one of the essential amino acids known for its calming effect on the nervous system. The tryptophan in kefir, in combination with its calcium and magnesium, makes for a soothing and relaxing drink.

What about fungal infections like candida? Dr. Orla-Jenson, a noted Danish bacteriologist specializing in dairy research, states that “Kefir digests yeast cells and has a beneficial effect on the intestinal flora.”

Dominic Anfiteatro, an Australian native, has been studying kefir and its health benefits for years. He considers kefir to be a “probiotic gem” cultured with a “probiotic jewel” (kefir grains). His kefir expertise is unparalleled. His website can be viewed here.

Once the grains have been procured, kefir is easy to make. See How to Make Dairy Kefir for specific directions.

Related Posts

  • How to Make Water Kefir
    42
    How to Make Water KefirThis nourishing probiotic drink makes a wonderful alternative to conventional soda and juice. It's also cheap! Once you obtain the grains, your cost is simply the sugar. Water kefir requires three essential ingredients: starter, sugar and water. Don't worry if sugar is not part of your daily diet. The sugar…
    Tags: kefir, probiotic

Filed Under: Fermented Foods, Foodie, microbes and mold, Uncategorized Tagged With: Gabriel Cousens, kefir, probiotic, tryptophan

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MEET ANDREA

I am a certified Building Biology Advocate, a former journalist, mother of nine, and avid CrossFitter who likes to think outside the box. After our family's health crisis in 2008, I learned to ask questions about what's in our food, our water, and our air. I hope to empower you as you seek to live safely in a complex world. Thankfully, small steps lead to big changes. Let's travel this road together, one step at a time.

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