Maybe many of us are still not familiar with this one drink. yep kefir milk. What are the health benefits that we can get by consuming milk kefir? see the explanation below.
What is Kefir?
Kefir, also known as kephir, is a fermented drink originating from the northern part of the Caucasus Mountains, which is also the border between Asia and Europe. The name kefir comes from the Turkish word “keif,” which means “good feeling.” This drink is bred and fermented, actually almost the same as yogurt, but the difference is that kefir contains soda.
There are 2 types of kefir variants circulating, namely milk kefir (milk kefir) and water kefir (water kefir). Milk kefir Contains more than 40 strains of bacteria, arguably more probiotic than yogurt, even for individuals who are lactose intolerant. While water kefir consists of bacteria Lactobacillus brevis, Streptococcus lactis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Kefir milk and water kefir are equally beneficial for your body. Only because of the lack of research conducted on water kefir, so in this article we will discuss the benefits of milk kefir for health. But first, consider the following nutritional content.
Kefir Nutrient Content
A cup of milk kefir contains 152 calories and 27 mg of cholesterol, while 1 cup of water kefir contains 16 calories.
In addition, in a cup of milk kefir contains approximately:
- 7.9 grams of protein
- 8.1 grams of fat
- 12 grams of carbohydrates
- 257 milligrams sodium
- 331 milligrams of potassium
- 280 milligrams of calcium
- 80 milligrams of vitamin A
While in one cup of water kefir contains about:
- 1.6 grams of protein
- 0.3 grams fat
- 2.3 grams of carbohydrates
- 12 milligrams sodium
- 38 milligrams of potassium
- 10 milligrams of calcium
After knowing the nutritional content contained in milk kefir, now we will find out what are the benefits.
6 Benefits of Milk Kefir for Health
1. Help Lose Weight
Good news for those who are on a diet, because one of the health benefits of milk kefir is that it can eliminate body fat.
The fermented drink is like a powerhouse, packed with a plethora of powerful good bacteria. These bacteria include Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus amylovorus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus which are proven effective for weight loss.
The bacteria regulate ANGPTL4, the fat-burning protein serum hormone in your body. Studies have shown the impact of kefir consumption on weight loss, and the result is that individuals who consume kefir lose 3-4% of their body fat within six weeks.
2. Increases Endurance
The benefits of milk kefir for the next health is to increase immunity. The nutrients and compounds such as folate and biotin in kefir help improve the function of your immune system. The Lactobacillus kefiri bacteria contained in kefir help your body fight harmful bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella. The abundance of good bacteria in milk kefir can help strengthen the immune system and stop the growth of predatory bacteria.
Kefiran, an insoluble polysaccharide found only in probiotic drinks has antimicrobial properties that help fight the most common type of yeast infection, Candida. By contributing to a boost in the immune system, kefir has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
3. Helps Prevent Cancer
The probiotics contained in kefir can help your body fight off deadly diseases, such as cancer. By stopping the proliferation of cancer-causing cells, this probiotic-rich drink has been shown to be effective in causing cancer cells to self-destruct.
The anti-carcinogenic role played by kefir, slows the growth of early tumors and stops their enzymatic progression from non-carcinogenic to carcinogenic.
A study conducted by the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at the Macdonald Campus of McGill University, Canada contributed to the role of kefir in preventing and fighting cancer cells. The results of the study revealed that kefir was able to reduce cancer cells by 56 percent.
4. Launch the Digestive System
The next health benefit of kefir is that it helps your digestion, it works by restoring the good bacteria in the intestines. The probiotics in kefir help with many digestive problems like diarrhea, constipation, ulcers caused by H. pylori infection and others.
The most important role played by kefir is in the fight against irritable bowel syndrome. Probiotics help your gut fight off pathogens and restore the gut.
5. Overcoming allergies and inflammation
The problem of inflammation in your body results in the development of allergies and asthma. Consuming kefir has been shown to reduce disruption in the lungs and airways by inflammatory cells.
In addition, the microorganisms in this drink also help prevent mucus formation. This of course helps your immune system, resulting in a natural resistance to allergic reactions, as well as strengthening your body to withstand allergies.
A study conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center revealed the positive impact of kefir consumption on individuals suffering from allergies & inflammation.
6. Strengthens Bones
The last health benefits of milk kefir are good for the bones. Kefir, especially milk kefir, is a great source of calcium and vitamin K2 which helps increase your bone strength. It works by increasing your calcium metabolism, thereby preventing the onset of osteoporosis which has become a frightening scourge in this fast-paced life. Along with the large intake of calcium present in the drink, the bioactive compounds help stop bone degradation by absorbing calcium.
The probiotic content in kefir helps the absorption of nutrients, directly having an impact on increasing bone density. Nutrients such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin K2 all work together to help prevent osteoporosis and increase the strength of your bones.
that’s the above benefits of milk kefir for health. Hope it is useful!
