Probiotics are live microorganisms that are good for us and help us stay healthy. They can be found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and kombucha. Probiotic drinks, on the other hand, are a liquid form of probiotics that we can consume to get the same benefits.
The importance of probiotic drinks is related to gut health.
When our gut bacteria are out of balance it can lead to a number of problems
such as constipation, bloating and diarrhea. Probiotic drinks help keep our gut
bacteria in balance by replenishing good bacteria in the gut.
Indeed, Probiotic drinks are becoming more popular in our
society. They are claimed to do many things, such as boosting the immune
system, improving digestion and regulating cholesterol levels. With that in
mind, let’s explore the benefits, origin, and how you can make Kefir – a
probiotic drink that contains more advantages than others.
What is Kefir and Where did it Come from?
Kefir originated in the Caucasus Mountains between Russia
and Georgia thousands of years ago and was created from fermenting milk in
animal skins. Grains of the Prophet are said to be invented kefir but the
traditional legend about the origin of it is when prophet Mohammed gifted its
grains to the Orthodox Christians. The prophet also said to teach people how
to make kefir and since then, kefir has been recognized to be a
health-promoting food.
Kefir was traditionally made with cow’s or goat’s milk, but
nowadays people make kefir with all kinds of different types of milk such as
coconut, soy, almond, and rice. It has been around for centuries and is made by
adding kefir grains to milk, letting it ferment for 24 hours, and then straining
it.
The kefir grains, on the other hand, are made up of yeast,
bacteria, and lactic acid. Kefir grains grow each time they are used to make
kefir, so they can last for years if taken care of properly. Kefir has a lot of
benefits to a person’s body especially if it is regularly taken. Furthermore,
the following information is the benefits you can get from drinking kefir.
What are the Health Benefits of Drinking Kefir?
Known as a source of lots of nutrients
In addition to being rich in probiotics and other healthy
bacteria, kefir also provides essential nutrients like protein and minerals. It
also contains vitamin B12 which helps with red blood cell production, and
vitamin K which helps with blood clotting and bone health.
More powerful than yogurt
Kefir boosts your immune system, helps you lose weight,
improves your digestion and even helps to prevent cancer cells from growing –
which makes it a perfect drink powerful than yogurt.
Helps with other digestive concerns
Kefir is a fermented dairy product that has been used for
centuries to help with other digestive concerns. It contains healthy bacteria
and yeasts, which are important for maintaining a healthy gut. Kefir also helps
to maintain the balance of good bacteria in the intestines, which can be
disrupted by antibiotics or illness.
Low in Lactose
Kefir is perfect for lactose-intolerant people as it
contains less lactose than regular milk. It is low in lactose because it has a
lactic acid bacterium that has already pre-digested the lactose – making it the
best milk drink for lactose-intolerant people without any problems.
It has Potent Antibacterial Properties
Kefir is not only delicious, but it also has potent
antibacterial properties. The fermentation process can increase the levels of
lactic acid in the milk and kefir, which helps kill bacteria in your gut. Kefir
may also help regulate blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of
sugar in your body after you eat a meal.
Improves Bone Health
Kefir is a probiotic drink which contains active cultures.
These cultures are good for gut health, but they also improve bone health.
Kefir contains high levels of vitamin K2, which is needed for bone
mineralization and healthy bone growth. This vitamin also reduces the risk of
osteoporosis and fractures.
A perfect drink for weight loss
Kefir is perfect for weight loss because it has probiotics
which help break down food particles and make them easier to digest. This means
that you will feel fuller for longer which will help you maintain your diet
better.
Now that you are aware of the benefits Kefir can give you,
it is undeniable that it gives a big boost to your lifestyle, especially your
health. And aside from this benefits, kefir can also boost immunity, reduce
inflammation and cholesterol levels, strengthen bones and teeth, improve
digestion, and reduce allergy symptoms. So if you haven’t tried kefir yet then
you should try it soon!
Kefir can be purchased from most grocery stores and can also
be found in most health food stores. But most people to prepare it right at
their homes.
How to make Kefir at home?
Homemade Kefir
- · Serving size: 4
- · Preparation time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- · Milk: 4 cups
- · Kefir grains: 1 tablespoon
Method:
- 1. Add one tablespoon of kefir grains along with 4 cups of milk into a jar.
- 2. Cover the jar and secure it in place.
- 3. Set aside the pot at room temperature for one day to ferment.
- 4. Strain the liquid into glasses. You can store kefir in the fridge for two weeks.
- 5. You can add sugar or honey to sweeten it.
Note: To start a new batch, you may add the collected kefir grains from the strainer back into the previous jar and add 4 cups of milk.
Possible Side Effects and Things to Remember
- People
with milk allergies should avoid drinking kefir made of cow’s milk.
However, they may substitute it with another milk of choice. People who
have diabetes should consume kefir without added sugar.
- Excessive
consumption of kefir may cause bloating, gas, cramping, nausea, and
constipation. However, consuming 1-3 cups of kefir daily will not cause
these symptoms.
- Since
kefir contains a large population of probiotics, it may not be safe for
everyone to consume it. For example, people with weak immune systems
should avoid consuming kefir. In addition, people undergoing chemotherapy
for cancer should also avoid using kefir.
- It is
better to drink homemade kefir rather than store-bought. Store-bought kefir
can have added sugars and preservatives. On the other hand, homemade kefir
is healthier, fresh, and less expensive.
Summary
Kefir has been consumed for centuries in many cultures throughout the world. Don’t be left behind and take advantage of the many benefits Kefir can give you. Kefir contains a lot of nutrients, vitamins, and probiotics. It offers many health benefits like improving heart, gut, kidney, liver, and skin health. In addition, it has anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial effects. All these properties can offer many health benefits. Kefir can also be used as a face mask to reduce skin blemishes. Therefore, adding kefir to your daily routine may prove beneficial to your health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How long does it take for kefir to work in the body?
A. It may take from 2-4 weeks for kefir to improve health.
Therefore, one should consume 1-2 cups of kefir every day for best results.
However, stop taking kefir if any of the side effects persist.
Q. Is kefir better than Greek yoghurt?
A. Both kefir and Greek yoghurt provide many health
benefits. However, kefir contains more protein and probiotics than Greek
yoghurt.
Q. Which is better, kombucha or kefir?
A. Both kefir and kombucha provide many health benefits.
However, kefir contains a higher amount of protein and vitamins than kombucha.
Q. What are the benefits of taking kefir?
A. Consuming kefir has many benefits like improving heart,
gut, kidney, liver, and skin health. Also, kefir has shown anti-cancerous,
anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial effects. All of these properties can
offer many health benefits.
Q. Is kefir anti-inflammatory?
A. Yes, kefir has anti-inflammatory effects on the body. In
addition, probiotics present in kefir can reduce inflammatory cells like
eosinophils in the body.
Q. Is kefir good for gut health?
A. Yes, kefir is good for gut health. It is a rich source of
probiotics, which aid in digestion and prevent bloating and flatulence. Also,
it eliminates harmful toxins and mutagens from the digestive system.
Q. Is kefir good for your skin?
A. Yes, kefir is good for the skin because it can help heal
scars and blemishes. Kefir contains hyaluronic acid and specific proteins that
help wounds heal and improve the skin barrier. These effects will lead to
clearer skin with less scarring and acne.
Q. Is kefir good for your liver?
A. Yes, kefir is good for your liver. Kefir can decrease the
fat deposition around the liver and reduce oxidative stress. Therefore, this
can lead to a healthier liver which is more efficient.
Q. Does kefir help you lose weight?
A. Yes, consuming kefir is a good way for healthy weight
loss. Kefir helps regulate the metabolism, reducing excess fat in the body.
Also, kefir creates a feeling of fullness for an extended period. Thus, it
prevents the urge of eating unhealthy food. As a result, this can help regulate
weight.
Q. Does kefir reduce bloating?
A. Yes. Since kefir is a rich source of probiotics, it helps
strengthen the digestive system. By doing so, it reduces bloating and
flatulence.
Q. Is kefir good for blood pressure?
A. Yes, kefir is good for regulating blood pressure.
However, this is because kefir helps regulate lipid metabolism, thus reducing
cholesterol and other unhealthy fats in the body. Also, kefir minimises the
production of angiotensin, which can increase blood pressure. Therefore, this can
help reduce hypertension or high blood pressure.
Q. Is kefir good for kidneys?
A. Yes, kefir is good for kidneys. The antioxidants present
in kefir can reduce oxidative stress to the kidneys. Also, the probiotics in
kefir can help filter out the toxic waste in our bodies. As a result, this
reduces the load on the kidneys and keeps them healthy.
Q. Will kefir lower cholesterol?
A. Yes, kefir may lower blood cholesterol levels. Kefir
helps enhance lipid metabolism, thus reducing cholesterol and other unhealthy
fats in the body.
Q. Is kefir good for acid reflux?
A. Yes, kefir is good for acid reflux. However, this is
because kefir helps strengthen the digestive system, thus reducing problems
like gas and acid reflux. Also, probiotics present in kefir help in better
digestion.
Q. Is kefir good for kidney infections?
A. Yes. Due to its antibacterial properties, consuming kefir
is an excellent way to reduce infection in the kidney. Simultaneously, the
probiotics in kefir can help reduce the load on the kidney by filtering out
toxic waste.
Q. What happens if you drink kefir every day?
A. Kefir is healthy and beneficial to health. Drinking kefir
every day may have several advantages like improving gut, heart, liver, and
kidney health. However, if you experience any side effects after drinking kefir
for more than two weeks, then avoid kefir.
Q. How much kefir should you drink a day?
A. The recommended daily intake value of kefir is 1-2 cups.
The best time to drink kefir is on an empty stomach is at the start of the day
or night.
Q. When should I drink kefir at night or morning?
A. You can consume kefir early in the morning or at night.
Drinking it on an empty stomach can improve gut health and digestion. Also,
drinking kefir at night can promote better sleep.
Q. Should I drink kefir on an empty stomach?
A. Yes, you may drink kefir on an empty stomach. Drinking it
on an empty stomach can improve gut health and digestion.
Q. Why is kefir bad for you?
A. Kefir may cause some side effects like bloating, gas, and
flatulence initially. However, the side effects should stop once you have it
regularly.
Q. Is kefir high in sugar?
A. Homemade kefir isn’t high in sugar. However, store-bought kefir may contain added sugar and sweeteners. Therefore, make kefir at home.
Buy Kefir Grains in Nairobi, Kenya
Our Highly Potent Kefir Grains, has over 50 strains of
active bacteria, Yeast and Subspecies. Our Kefir Grains albeit grown in Kenya
originated from a family in Malta (some 80KM south of Italy).
It's NOT based on kefir powder purchased in chain stores abroad.
When Kefir is processed commercially and sold in
supermarkets only about 9 to 12 strains of bacteria, yeast and subspecies
remain. The best kefir grain for making Kefir drinks are the ones shared by a
friendly neighbor. Moreover, the Grains ought to have been grown with
NON-pasteurized milk.
We make our Kefir milk locally. We
use the best A2 Milk for pasture-fed Jersey cows. This guarantees that you get
the best and most potent Kefir grain ever.
We recommend growing Kefir grains in Dairy milk.
Using coconut and almond milk does NOT guarantee that all
strains of bacteria will remain active.
We sell TWO Teaspoonfuls of Kefir Grains and the user can
grow them by adding milk to the jar and changing it every 24 to 36 hours. In 5
days the Kefir grains will have grown and be able to break down half a liter of
milk into Kefir milk in 24 to 36 hours.
Order your Kefir Grains that have fully adapted to Kenya’s
Tropical Climate
Two Steps to the Best Kefir Milk
Once you get your share of Kefir Grains it’s very easy to
plan how to Make Kefir Milk according to your needs
Step 1: Grow Your Kefir Grains
This is the most important step when you get your Kefir
Grains. Remember the Kefir Grains are nothing more than a colony of good
bacteria, yeast, and subspecies.
You need to grow the Kefir Grain first.
This happens through a symbiotic relationship between the
customer and the colony. The colony is fed with fresh milk. While it’s feeding
on lactic acid in milk.. the colony breaks your milk into easily absorb-able
nutrients.
The larger the colony.. the faster you can turn many liters
of milk into Kefir milk in the shortest time possible.
From 10 grams (two teaspoonfuls) of Kefir Grain, you can grow
it to half a kilo in a month by frequently changing milk every 24 to 36 hours.
Step 2: Make Kefir Milk
To get the best Kefir milk, add your grown Kefir Grains
colony to fresh milk and make sure to stir every EIGHT hours. Most Importantly
keep the Kefir Grain + Milk content under low temperatures.
Most people Overwork the Kefir Grain by adding warm milk.
Eventually, the Kefir Grain dies out and one has to start all over again.
It’s recommended to use a cooler with temperatures
between 6 and 18 degrees. That said, the results can be achieved by
putting the Kefir Grain milk preparation Jar in a cooler box.. then
periodically adding ice cubes or cooled water to keep the temperature down.
Why Kefir? Because Your Gut Microbiome Influences Every Aspect of Your Health
In formal school, we were taught bacteria (loosely, germs)
are bad. Germs cause diseases, we should wash our hands, observe general
hygiene and so on.
What they didn’t emphasize is that we have good and
bad bacteria.
The importance of Good Bacteria is so critical such that,
without it we would not last for long
The human digestive system is inhabited by trillions of
microorganisms, collectively referred to as the gut microbiome.
The gut or alimentary canal from mouth, food pipe, stomach,
small intestines, large instestines to the anal opening is inhabited by
trillions of microorganisms, collectively referred to as the gut microbiome.
The microbiome society consists of a balance of beneficial
bacteria and harmful ones called pathogens.
The good bacteria for example produces negative grams which
are harmful to pathogens.
Other micro organisms in the gut are neutral, neither
harmful nor offering any benefit to our bodies.
Did you know, that any part in our body that has mucous
membrane is inhabited by good bacteria that keep guard to steer away any
pathogens from entering our bodies.
Mucous membranes line many tracts and structures of the
body, including the mouth, nose, eyelids, trachea (windpipe) and lungs, stomach
and intestines, and the ureters, urethra, and urinary bladder.
When we use antibacterial drugs we kill both good and bad
bacteria
when we use antiseptic soaps we kill both good and bad
bacteria
It’s a no-brainer therefore that we need to constantly
replenish our bodies with good bacteria from time to time.
Sources of Microbes to Replenish our Bodies
Traditionally, our ancestors used to eat fermented foods
like traditionally fermented milk, traditionally fermented porridge, and other
community-specific fermented foods like Mursik
In the industrialization age, food has gone commercial and
traditional methods of food preparation have been phased out to more chemically
and mechanically driven methods that would fill up millions of bottles in a short
span.
The industrialization has not been without a cost.. most of
which is a great deal to our health. Today if you purchase fermented porridge it's
loaded with artificial chemicals mimicking citric acid to give the porridge a
sour taste.
Traditional porridge was cultured naturally by bacteria,
which resulted to introducing beneficial bacteria to our ancestors guts through
and through.
Yogurt has one to three strains of beneficial bacteria,
which is a big gap from the tens if not hundreds of bacteria strains that our
ancestors benefited from in their conservative food preparation methods.
Introducing Kefir Drink made with Kefir Grains – Now in
Kenya
There are two types of Kefir drinks:
- Commercially
produced kefir drink in supermarkets – has about 5 to 9 strains of good
bacteria.
- Traditionally
homemade Kefir Drink – like the Kefir Grains we offer has
35 to 60 strains of bacteria, yeast, and subspecies...
Scores of Scientific papers have been published to show the
benefits of Kefir and Kefir microbes in the following issues: Allergies, Autoimmunity, Bone Health, Brain Function, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease,
Type 1 and 2 Diabetes, Gastrointestinal Health, Immunity, Obesity, Skin Health,
Thyroid Disorders.
Order Kefir Grains Today: 10 grams Traditiona Active Kefir Grains: Kes. 2,000 +Transport charges to your area/location Confirm your order Today: Contact Us