I Love Kefir

Kefir is a probiotic, fermented dairy product. It's been shown to have many health benefits, including aiding in weight loss. In this article, we'll explore how kefir can help you feel great from the inside out!

Most people have never heard of kefir, much less ingested it, but I will say that not only is it a nutritional powerhouse but I would drink it as religiously as taking my vitamins.

If you've never heard of kefir, it is yogurt- like drink that has been used for food and health purposes for thousands of years.

You can even make your own Kefir at home, but most of us don’t have enough time to buy it much less culture kefir in our kitchens.

Don’t worry, you can get this tasty drink at some grocery stores and certainly in health food stores or my favorite, Amazon Fresh.

What Is Kefir?

Kefir can be made of cow, goat, sheep’s milk or even coconut, rice or soy milk. The milk is inoculated with kefir grains which are a combination of bacteria and yeasts.

It is a cultured, enzyme rich food that is also high in lactic acid.

Read: What Is The Difference Between Yogurt and Kefir?

Is Kefir A Probiotic?

Kefir is a probiotic which creates the colonization of healthy bacteria in your digestive tract. It is actually more nutrient rich than yogurt because it has more than double the amount of active cultures.

My favorite Kefir brand is LIFEWAY, which offers a huge variety of products.

I drink the unsweetened plain Kefir every day. If you like the plain PINKBERRY, you will love this flavor. Of course, try other brands to find your own taste preference.

LIFEWAY Kefir Contains 10 Strains Of Friendly Bacteria

L. LACTIS
L. RHAMNOSUS
L. CREMORIS
L. PLANTARUM
L. CASEI
B. LONGUM
B. BREVE
S. FLORENTINUS
L. ACIDOPHILUS

I am a big “bang for your buck” eater and buyer, so if your kefir does not contain all of these bacteria, you are not getting the best.

The Benefits of Drinking Kefir

Studies show that Kefir:

1. Stimulates digestion of other foods.
2. Improves immunity by stimulating microphages that fight pathogens.
3. Makes your intestinal tract more resistant to pathogens like e. coli and listeria.
4. Works as a mild laxative and promotes regular bowel movements.
5. More easily digested than other dairy products.
6. As part of your daily dairy intake, it can help you lose weight.
7. Calcium and B-Vitamin rich.
8. Can be consumed by Lactose intolerant persons.
9. May help fight against common cold and improve mood.
10. High in protein and low in fat.

Watch My Segment Discussing Kefir- Nutrition RX: Dairy

Healthy Bone Development And Muscle Growth

In addition to being a probiotic, kefir is rich in calcium and protein that aid with healthy bone development and muscle growth.

Kefir also contains a high amount of potassium which helps lower blood pressure and regulate heart rate by regulating fluids within your body.

This makes it easier for your kidneys to function properly as well. Potassium is oftentimes too low on diets but studies show that drinking milk or eating yogurt can increase potassium levels naturally without the addition of supplements.

Optimizing Digestion

Probiotics, like those found in kefir, can benefit your body by optimizing digestion and consequently improving immunity. It has also been shown to reduce inflammation within the body which is responsible for fighting off foreign invaders such as bacteria.

Kefir is extremely low in lactose so if you are lactose intolerant or an adult that is lactose sensitive, you can still drink it without experiencing any negative side effects.

Kefir also contains healthy amounts of B vitamins which are responsible for energy production within the body.

So if weight loss is something you're looking to achieve, give kefir a shot! There are many options when it comes to this probiotic beverage so try a few out and find the one that works for you, don't forget to share your experience with us!