What Are The Benefits Of Probiotic Kefir?

Kefir is a yogurt-like drink that is rich in probiotics and has been around for more than 3,000 years. This tangy beverage is a nutritious source of calcium, vitamin D and protein and may contain more friendly bacteria, or probiotics, than yogurt. Kefir is cultured from seedlike pellets called kefir grains that are made from insoluble milk caseins removed from previous batches of kefir. In 1904, nobel prize winner Ilya Mechnikov studied the health benefits of kefir and discovered that the bacterial cultures in kefir killed disease-causing bacteria in the large intestine.

Digestive Aid

Kefir is rich in probiotics, which are healthy microorganisms that live in your digestive tract. Probiotics promote healthy digestive function and may treat and prevent diarrhea and reduce gas and bloating. Kefir may also help reduce diarrhea associated with traveling or antibiotic use. It may also help with the breakdown of lactose, making it an alternative source of dairy if you are lactose intolerant.

Immune Booster

The probiotic, yeast, vitamin, mineral and protein content of kefir can help promote a healthy immune system. Kefir has been used to treat AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome and herpes. A 1995 study found that kefir also has antibacterial properties and may be effective against a number of illness-causing bacteria, including Salmonella.

Cancer Fighter

Several studies performed in Japan have shown that the probiotic properties of kefir can have anticancer effects. Animals who were fed kefir showed slowed growth and even reversal of many different types of cancer. An additional study published in 2007 in the Journal of Medicinal Foods showed that kefir targets and stops the growth of breast cancer cells in humans.