The Many Benefits of Kefir
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I am sure you have seen milk kefir at the store. Maybe you have even wondered what it is. I think the best way to describe it is drinkable yogurt. Most of them are flavored (loaded with sugars no doubt), some plain, but ALL store versions I have found are made with low fat milk. BUT! It isn't yogurt. It is a fermented dairy similar to yogurt, but the benefits of kefir are so much more!
Kefir is incredibly nutrient dense
As I said, kefir is a fermented drink traditional made from cow's milk. Kefir grains, cultures of yeast and lactobacillus, turn the milk into kefir! After fermentation, the grains can be removed and used to ferment more milk. It is delightful, really.
A serving of milk kefir is packed with protein, calcium, phosphorus, B12, riboflavin, magnesium, and Vitamin D!
Powerful Probiotic Punch
When most people think of probiotics, they think of yogurt. But did you know that kefir is actually a more potent source of diverse probiotics, containing about 30 strains of bacteria and yeasts. A few of these strains even contain antibacterial properties. Sweet!!
Protect your bones AND your digestion
We all know that milk is a good source of calcium. But did you know that milk kefir is also rich in Vitamin K2? This nutrient plays a central role in metabolizing calcium, which is great for your bones!!
As mentioned before, those powerful probiotics are fantastic for gut health! Milk kefir fills the gut with plentiful friendly bacteria that can be helpful for those with digestive problems. Plus, restoring a healthy balance of good bacteria is essential for a healthy immune system.
So easy to make at home
Milk kefir is my favorite fermented dairy to make at home! It is so easy to make and it is ready to drink sooner than you can fill your freezer with ready-made smoothie freezer packs!
Homemade milk kefir is my favorite base for smoothies. It is easy to make, very inexpensive, and incredibly good for the gut. There are so many great benefits of kefir! Which is your favorite?
Want to learn how to make kefir at home? It is easy!
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I read a wonderful article about kefir on this site: http://www.healthygutbugs.com/kefir-wonder-beverage-ancient-world/ and have started making my own with some grains that I ordered on Amazon. The flavor is a little different than the fruit flavored Kefir that I have gotten at my local grocery store. I plan to experiment some with adding some blended fruit to it so that my kids will be more interested in drinking it.