Kefir, The Good, The Bad, and The Yummy-The Benefits of Kefir

One thing I recommend to just about every client and frankly, everyone I meet, is kefir. It is the number one thing you can add to your life to improve almost everything inside your body. The benefits of kefir are through the roof! So while this article isn’t about homeopathy, it will give you enough information to change your health for the better.

What is Kefir?

When I was first introduced to kefir I was told it is “a fizzy, fermented milk”. Gross. I like my milk not fizzy, thank you. But, I tried it. And it is truly awesome. I’ve made kefir for at least 14 years. Sometimes I am on it and sometimes it gets away from me.

Kefir is a drink from Turkey. The name means, “good feeling” due to the pleasant feeling you get after drinking it. But, at its basic nature, it is fermented milk. It can be made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. I’m assuming you could make it from other animal milk. It can also be made from coconut milk if you have a severe milk allergy. But if you are lactose intolerant, keep reading. The lactose is consumed by the grains. Making it safe for most. It’s different from yogurt in that it has more good bacteria and it also ferments with yeast. Which gives even more benefits. It’s like if yogurt and kombucha had a baby. And that baby goes on to change your world.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…

For starters, it has a long list of nutrients that are essential for health.

• Protein – I found numbers anywhere between 6-11 grams of protein per cup of kefir.
• Calcium – An essential nutrient for our bones. But, wait there’s more! Because our body needs more than just calcium for healthy bones. It requires certain vitamins like Vitamin D and A to absorb the calcium.
• Phosphorus – Also a nutrient for bones. But, it also helps the blood process fat and carbs. Phosphorus is used by the nervous system to maintain proper function.
• Vitamins B2 and B12 – These guys! You have no way of storing B vitamins in your body. Meaning you are always needing them. But they help us manage stress and anxiety.
• Magnesium – This one has been a big buzzword in the health industry for a while now with good reason. Magnesium is essential for our muscles and our nerve pathways. Not only helping our bodies to function better but to have less pain. The magnesium produced is highly absorble.
• Vitamins A and D – These guys help our bones absorb the calcium from the milk. Without them, your body will just eliminate the calcium as waste. But they also are needed for a properly functioning immune system.

It’s alive!

Most of our food should NOT have live bacteria. Kefir is the exception to that rule. It contains roughly 61 different bacteria. Don’t forget it also has yeast! Not the type of yeast found in bread. This is a yeast that is helpful for those with a damaged gut. These good guys help to heal the gut. Kefir made from grains (as opposed to a powder) contains almost all the strains of bacteria you had as a baby.

Antibiotics, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, hand sanitizer, and even some essential oils kill all the bacteria in your body; both the good and the bad. Why do we want bacteria in our bodies? Firstly, because that’s how God made us. Secondly, we use them to help us digest our food and to help our bodies function properly. An overgrowth of bad bacteria is responsible for depression, eczema, inability to lose weight, anxiety, and a whole book of other issues. We need the good bacteria and our society is determined to clear it all out!

It’s unique

Certain probiotics in kefir protect against infections, according to this study published by PubMed. This may be due to the probiotic Lactobacillus kefiri, which is unique to kefir. Studies demonstrate that this probiotic can inhibit the growth of various harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, Helicobacter pylori, and E. coli. Kefiran, a type of carbohydrate present in kefir, also has antibacterial properties.

In animal studies, consuming kefir has been shown to reduce cancer cells and tumors by stimulating the immune system. This study shows a reduction of breast cancer tumors by 55% with yogurt reducing it by 14%.

People who suffer from allergies will benefit from consuming kefir as well. Because it stimulates the immune system without sending it into overdrive, it is healing for allergies and asthma.

Rumbly in the tummbly?

I am quoting Winnie the Pooh here. But kefir can help with IBS symptoms and diarrhea issues. When I say it can heal your gut, I mean it will heal your gut! It can heal ulcers caused by an H. pylori infection. Am I the only one that has started a list of people to tell about this amazing superfood?

Let’s do this!

Now that I have you ready to consume this hero of food, let me tell you the best part. It’s cheap and easy to make at home! I’m starting to feel like an infomercial. I’m ok with that.

You need only a few ingredients.

• Kefir grains – It needs to be the grains, not the powder. Kefir grains leave almost double the amount of bacteria in the kefir as opposed to the powder. Ask around and see if some of your “weird” friends have some extra. The grains double every couple of days. So soon you will have an abundance. You can order dehydrated grains from the internet and start from there.
• Milk – It doesn’t have to be special. Raw milk would be the best. I don’t have a source of raw milk that I can afford right now. I just use milk from Wal-Mart. I’ve used heavy cream before and made a cultured sour cream. My kids ate it in one day!
• Glass jar – again, nothing fancy. It all depends on how many people will be drinking the kefir. I make 1/2 gallon a day for my crew, but a smaller family will consume less.
• Strainer, bowl, spatula, and funnel.
• Time – The kefir must sit out on the counter for at least 24 hours. It takes less time to strain my kefir than it does for my coffee to finish brewing.

You will need 1 teaspoon of grains per cup of milk. Add the grains to the bottom of the jar and pour the milk on top. I use a coffee filter and jar ring to keep dirt, etc. out. Then set it out on the counter until the next day. Using a strainer, pour the kefir out into a bowl. You may need to use a spatula to get it through the strainer if your kefir is really thick. It will be thicker than the milk you started with.

What you are left with are grains that double every few days. If your kefir starts to separate too fast you have too many grains and it’s time to share them. Too many grains will cause it to over-ferment. Here is a situation of less is better. (Kind of like homeopathy….you know I had to get it in somewhere.) Pour the kefir into a jar and cover it with a lid.

Basically, you start over from here. Put the grains in a jar and add milk. Then set it out on the counter.

Now what do I do with this?

Now you have a beautiful, fizzy, sour milk. But what now? You can do a double ferment. This means you leave the kefir out for a few more hours and then store it in your refrigerator. Or you can use it immediately in a smoothie. The internet is full of ideas on how to use your kefir. I make a smoothie for my kids every morning. Sometimes it is their breakfast and sometimes it is part of their breakfast.

Some Q&A

You know I’m all about side effects. Are there any side effects of drinking kefir? Yes. For a few days, you may experience bloating and gas as the bad bacteria is killed off. And then you will experience better digestion, better skin, clearer thinking, etc. Can I consume it daily? Yes, please! Could it be dangerous? If you have a severe, life-threatening allergy to milk, yes. If you are lactose intolerant, no.

Benefits of kefir

I hope I have convinced you of the benefits of kefir and to add kefir to your daily routine. I recommend it to most of my clients. It is so beneficial to our healing.

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