Kefir is a fermented drink made from cow or goat milk.
Kefir tastes a bit sour like yogurt but has a thinner consistency making it drinkable.
Yogurt may be the most widely known source of probiotics in the Western world but kefir grains are more potent — containing up to 61 strains of yeast and bacteria to nourish the gut microbiome.
Kefir may help manage blood sugar and boost digestive health.
It contains Lactobacillus kefiri, a probiotic unique to kefir that studies indicate can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria like Salmonella, Helicobacter pylori and E. coli.
A carbohydrate in kefir called kefiran also exhibits antibacterial properties.
Easy to make at home or pick up at the store, kefir is the powerhouse drink you didn’t know you needed.
One of the easiest ways to elevate your gut health is eating more fermented foods, which multiplies the probiotics — beneficial bacteria — in your digestive tract.
Kombucha, kefir and sourdough bread are just a few examples of beneficial fermented foods.
The live microorganisms in fermented foods also reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the gut, lowering your risk for atherosclerosis.