The Health Benefits of Kefir Are Many

Since the health benefits of kefir are many, it is worth learning how to make kefir.

What is Kefir?

Yogurt has been promoted over the years as the way to get probiotics into your belly.  In recent years we are seeing kefir products which are offering a far simpler procedure with more friendly bacteria and added beneficial yeasts.

So what exactly is kefir? The short and quick (but not entirely accurate) answer to describe kefir is as a “drinkable yogurt.”

Kefir is typically found as a fermented milk beverage made with cow or goat's milk infused with kefir grains. If you are like me and want the benefits of kefir but do not want to eat animal products there is a wonderful option that is just as nutritive.  I found kefir can also be made with non-dairy milk such as nut milks or coconut milk for a vegan form of kefir.

Though I have not seen much of these types of kefirs on the market, they can be found.  I have found a coconut one that was made with coconut water that had a fizzy taste and a nice flavor called inner-eco Dairy-free probiotic kefir.  I  have included a recipe for this on the link below on how to make make your own coconut kefir.

Health Benefits of Kefir

The word “kefir” comes from the Turkish word “keyif,” which is translated as “joy” or “pleasure.” Others say that the word kefir means “feel good” in Turkish. Either way, there are many health benefits associated with the drinking of kefir. A study as published in PubMed seems to indicate that the bacteria in kefir protects against colon cancer.

Other reported kefir health benefits, though not scientifically proven as of yet, include the following:

• The probiotics in kefir boost the immune system
• Colonizes the intestines with beneficial bacteria which helps digestion
• Balances the digestive tract after the use of antibiotics
• Lowers harmful cholesterol
• Helps with irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and diarrhea
• Fights Candida yeast infections
• May help to lower high blood pressure
• May fight against cancer
• Helps promote natural sleep because it contains tryptophan, which relaxes the nerves and helps to promote peaceful sleep
• Inhibits the growth of dangerous bacteria in the gut, such as E-coli.
  
• May help to alleviate arthritis pain
• Is rich in essential amino acids which helps the body heal itself

For those of you with digestive issues, kefir can be irritating if you don't have your stomach lining in a healthy state. Adding kefir to your health regime after you have the lining in a healthy state will be enormously beneficial to keeping your digestive tract in that healthy place!

If any of the above health benefits appeal to you, the art of kefir making is very simple, yet very rewarding and continuous. Just follow the link to learn how to make kefir.

More Raw Non-Dairy Pages:

How to Make Kefir

Raw Ice Cream

How Is Yogurt Made

Homemade Egg Nog

Go from Health Benefits of Kefir to Raw Living Food Recipes Page