Benefits of Kefir – A Probiotic Milk Drink

Benefits of Kefir

Kefir is a fermented milk drink, similar to yogurt, but with more probiotics strains and more nutrients. Kefir was first scientifically researched over 100 years ago by Nobel Prize winner, Elie Metchnikoff, who was obsessed with aging. His theory argued that aging was caused mainly by toxic bacteria in the gut; and that lactic acid, found in kefir, or probiotics, could prolong life. Based on this theory he drank kefir everyday and wrote extensively on the benefits of drinking kefir regularly. (see benefits below)

This Video shows the benefits of “Probiotic” or Good Bacteria:

Like other Probiotics Kefir benefits include:

• - Increase Energy
• - Aid in Digestion, including combating diarrhea (Lactobacillus strain) and promoting bowel movements.
• - Protects the prostate
• - Regulates blood pressure
• - Inhibits Salmonella and E Coli (Bifidobacterium Strain)
• - Combats Lactose Intolerance (Lactobacillus Casei strain)
• - Improves Brain Function – The National Academy of Sciences, reported that probiotic bacteria could have the ability to change the chemistry of the brain and help treat anxiety and depression related illnesses. This leads us to what is known as Psychobiotics whichch is being called the future of psychiatry.
• - Reduce Levels of LDL Cholesterol (Lactobacillus Strain)
• - Supports the Immune System – (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains)
• - Reduce Vaginal Yeast Infections
• - Healthy Gut Microbes are even linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis
• - Provides Supplemental Nourishment for pregnant and nursing women
• - Promotes a relaxing effect on nervous system helping with a restful night’s sleep
• - Restores balance to digestive tract after antibiotic use
• - Curbs unhealthy food cravings

Kefir has been used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, and allergies, tuberculosis, cancer, poor digestion, candidiasis, osteoporosis, hypertension, HIV and heart disease

Kefir is rich in Vitamins – B-12, B1 and K2, biotin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, and more.
This translates to healthy looking skin, healthy kidneys, liver and nervous system, healthy energy and longevity.

Comparison of CPU (amount of good bacteria per serving):

• - Probiotics supplements – 10 to 50 billion
• - Homemade yogurt 1.5 trillion in a small bowl
• - Kefir – 5 trillion in a small bowl
• - Fermented Vegetables is as much as 10 trillion per cup

I recommend both Fermented Vegetables, Kefir, and Kombucha since they are all different strains of good probiotics bacteria. They are also far less expensive than probiotics supplements and get more strains and more bacteria than are in probiotics.

There are two types of Kefir: Powder and Grains. I always prefer the grains because they go on forever where as the powder is has less strains, less bacteria and only last for seven ferments (1 week) And they both cost about the same price.

Milk Kefir Grains KIT plus FREE BONUS Premium Loose Leaf Tea

All you need is Glass jars, milk, and a strainer like this one: (I would choose a small one like the 4 inch to start or if your grains are bigger get the larger one below that)

HIC Brands that Cook Nylon Mesh Strainer, 7-Inch

Large Nylon strainer for larger kefir grains:

Glass wide-mouth ball jars:

Ball Wide Mouth Quart Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 12

To Make Kefir Also See

Part 2 - Here for How to Reactivate Your Kefir Grains

Part 3 - How to make Kefir and do a "Second Ferment"

For More information regarding the importance of your gut bacteria watch this video.

2010 7.1 Our Microbial Organ, Part I: Living in a Microbial World from Science in the News on Vimeo.

 

This is the most extensive site on kefir that has answers to every question you can ask about Kefir - users.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html