How kefir affects the human body

Dairy products takes pride of place in almost all cuisines of the world. It is difficult to overestimate its importance to the body. The most common and relatively easy to prepare was and remains kefir. It is useful for people of all ages, starting with babies a few months old. Its effects are beneficial to the body as a whole, and in some cases kefir is even used for therapeutic purposes or as a component of a weight loss program.

Types of kefir

The drink is made from whole or skimmed cow's milk by fermentation with sour milk and alcohol. The starter contains kefir fungi, which include lactic acid streptococci and bacilli, acetic acid bacteria and yeast.

Interesting: Certain types of kefir affect the breathalyzer readings by showing the maximum permissible level.

The production of kefir has been on stream for a long time. The first industrial capacities were launched at the beginning of the XX century. It is also possible to make this drink at home, but only in small quantities. In the assortment on the shelves there is kefir:

• classic;
• skimmed;
• fruit;
• vitaminized;
• biokefir.

But the most useful is without any additives. By the way, the manufacturing period is very important, because fresh beverage is lax, and a little bit standing - it is fortified, which should be taken into account by people with digestive system disorders. This is not all the wonders of kefir, there are not so obvious, but this is no less valuable qualities.

Composition and properties

The main benefit of the drink lies in the probiotics that are included in its composition, and they are natural, not synthetic substitutes. These elements support a healthy composition of microflora and intestinal peristalsis, strengthen immunity, reduce weight and cholesterol levels. It is important that the base is not heated, so all the useful substances remain intact. Also an undoubted advantage of the drink is its low calorie content, and it quenches thirst just great. Kefir varies in fat content and comes in the range from 0.5% to 8.9%. A beverage with a fat level of 2.5-4% is considered classic. The properties of kefir also depend on this indicator, because in weight-loss programs it is recommended to have a nonfat version, but without limiting the quantity.

The composition of the fermented milk drink includes:

• organic acids;
• vitamins A, PP, all B group in different ratios;
• retinol;
• niacin;
• beta carotene;
• calcium;
• magnesium;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• iodine;
• selenium;
• copper;
• glucose;
• lactose;
• mono- and disaccharides;
• essential and substitutable amino acids;
• sterols.

This unique composition works in complex, improving digestion, enhancing immunity, restores the body after taking antibiotics. The drink is recommended as a prophylactic for diabetes, high cholesterol, food allergies, if there is no aversion to lactose and other components of milk.

Lactic acid bacteria help the absorption of calcium, iron, keep them in the body, which is especially important for the prevention of anemia, rickets, osteoporosis and other diseases associated with changes in bone structure.

Benefits for weight loss

This is a real salvation for those who are struggling with excess weight or prefer to always keep themselves in shape. It belongs to the low-calorie products, satisfies hunger well, helps to calm down, sleep, and meet the new day with a smile. The drink is included in combined diets or used as a short mono-diet.

Kefir for beauty

Kefir masks for the body, face and hair are very popular because of availability, low price and high efficiency. They are used at home, recipes can be found quite easily and for almost all types of skin. Kefir is also the basis for a line of natural-based care products.

How and how much to drink

If we are talking about a nonfat beverage, you can drink it without restrictions. It is often recommended to be consumed at night, replacing a second dinner, if there are problems with digestion. According to studies, for adults kefir is preferable to milk, because it is digested better.

But you need to consider other nuances of this, no doubt, useful drink. If there is increased acidity, then the amount of the product will have to be limited or at the time of exacerbation to abandon it at all. If there is an increased risk of flatulence, you should not drink the drink at night. In principle, everyone has the right to independently decide whether to drink kefir and at what time of the day, because it is important to consider individual characteristics and taste preferences.