If you have ever heard of kefir yogurt, you probably know all about the healthy probiotic bacteria in kefir. But did you know there are numerous reasons to enjoy this fermented dairy product? There are many more health benefits of kefir beyond its excellent probiotic use:

Health Benefits of Kefir:

• Like other good sources of dairy, there is some evidence that kefir can be used to support a healthy weight. In fact, the National Kefir Association writes that 3 to 4 servings of dairy can actually promote weight loss. This weight loss finding was especially relevant to losing belly fat, and was not reported to be the same when the dairy intake came from supplements instead of whole foods. People who are trying to lose weight can greatly benefit from the low-fat version of kefir.
• Kefir has anti-inflammatory benefits, which means it has a healthy influence on many different aspects of the body. One of these components is healthy skin, but you won’t get the full effect if you are just eating kefir. Would you believe that spreading kefir on your face can promote youthful skin? The lactic acid in kefir is known in the skincare world as Alpha Hydroxy Acid, and is being hailed as the next big thing in anti-aging.
• Though kefir has great health effects for everyone, women especially can benefit. Women who are prone to yeast infections will benefit from kefir’s probiotic properties, which work together to balance the good bacteria in the body. Women who are pregnant or nursing can also benefit from eating kefir, as it is a source of healthy nutrients that can increase immunity and help the body adjust to hormone changes.
• As kefir is rich in healthy probiotic bacteria, it has positive implications for your digestive tract. When kefir is in your system, its acidity and enzymes can actually help digest the other foods in your stomach. This means that if you are suffering from a disorder of the digestive tract, kefir can soothe it by facilitating digestion. It is also one of the best dairy products for people with lactose intolerance to eat. Though it is somewhat counterintuitive, eating dairy based probiotics can favorably affect the body’s ability to digest milk over time.

Though kefir is not as well known or readily available as yogurt, its only a matter of time before drinking kefir is just as popular. The health benefits of kefir are plentiful, plus it tastes great!

Source:

• “Health and Wellness”, National Kefir Association

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