Over the past few years, kefir has become one of my go to drinks for feeling my best. Most people I tell this to respond with "What in the world is kefir?" Well, since you asked...
Kefir, pronounced kee-fur, is a cultured drink that is typically made from cows milk is the United States. Many other variations, such as kefir made from coconut water, are available. When made from milk, it is similar in consistency to a smoothie. It is thicker than a juice drink, but thinner than yogurt. Cultured drinks such as kefir have been used by humans for centuries.
Kefir is filled with beneficial bacteria for your digestive system, often referred to as probiotics. Kefir is unique in that it contains a multitude of probiotic strains. It has many more strains than say yogurt, saur kraut, and other probiotic foods. Most kefir drinks on the market contain 12 or more probiotic strains.
I typically drink milk based kefir. It is lactose free, gluten free, and high in protein and calcium among other nutrients. Many flavors are available, but keep an eye on added sugars. Some brands and flavors may have as much sugar as a can of soda. Hence, opt for the no sugar added varieties when at all possible.
Research has proven that the digestive system is literally the "second brain" of the body. An adult typically has about 16 feet of intestines with an estimated 300 square feet or more of surface area. Within this immense system, complex biological and chemical reactions take place that affect our overall health. A thriving environment in our gut results in the proper conversion of food into nutrients that our body can utilize. Not to mention, there is growing body of research on how the gut affects a multitude of other bodily functions. For a good overview of this subject, I suggest reading Brain Maker by Dr. David Perlmutter.
For me, drinking a cup or two of kefir each day keeps most digestive issues at bay. When I say cup, I am referring to about 8 fluid ounces. This amount generally keeps me feeling healthy when used in combination with my other daily health habits such as exercise, wholesome foods, and good sleep. In addition, if I feel indigestion or heartburn coming on, I drink a cup to calm the impending storm.
If you want to take your health to the next level and feel your best, give kefir and other probiotic foods a try. As many people will attest, with scientific research to back it up, a healthy gut does a body good!
Kefir, pronounced kee-fur, is a cultured drink that is typically made from cows milk is the United States. Many other variations, such as kefir made from coconut water, are available. When made from milk, it is similar in consistency to a smoothie. It is thicker than a juice drink, but thinner than yogurt. Cultured drinks such as kefir have been used by humans for centuries.
Kefir is filled with beneficial bacteria for your digestive system, often referred to as probiotics. Kefir is unique in that it contains a multitude of probiotic strains. It has many more strains than say yogurt, saur kraut, and other probiotic foods. Most kefir drinks on the market contain 12 or more probiotic strains.
I typically drink milk based kefir. It is lactose free, gluten free, and high in protein and calcium among other nutrients. Many flavors are available, but keep an eye on added sugars. Some brands and flavors may have as much sugar as a can of soda. Hence, opt for the no sugar added varieties when at all possible.
Research has proven that the digestive system is literally the "second brain" of the body. An adult typically has about 16 feet of intestines with an estimated 300 square feet or more of surface area. Within this immense system, complex biological and chemical reactions take place that affect our overall health. A thriving environment in our gut results in the proper conversion of food into nutrients that our body can utilize. Not to mention, there is growing body of research on how the gut affects a multitude of other bodily functions. For a good overview of this subject, I suggest reading Brain Maker by Dr. David Perlmutter.
For me, drinking a cup or two of kefir each day keeps most digestive issues at bay. When I say cup, I am referring to about 8 fluid ounces. This amount generally keeps me feeling healthy when used in combination with my other daily health habits such as exercise, wholesome foods, and good sleep. In addition, if I feel indigestion or heartburn coming on, I drink a cup to calm the impending storm.
If you want to take your health to the next level and feel your best, give kefir and other probiotic foods a try. As many people will attest, with scientific research to back it up, a healthy gut does a body good!
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