Embrace the Power of Good Bacteria with Kefir
For those unacquainted with the enchanting world of good bacteria, allow me to introduce you to the transformative potential of kefir. Whether you find yourself enthusiastically raising your fists in the air, whispering “yes,” or pondering the concept with a furrowed brow, kefir’s fermented milk offers a compelling starting point for this journey. Before any judgment arises, consider this: kefir stands as one of the most effective means of replenishing the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Why is this significant, you may wonder? Let’s embark on a journey of discovery together.
Our digestion controls how we feel.
If we indulge in a big, juicy, greasy burger, will it really make us feel like we’re on top of the world with energy and motivation? Probably not. Most of us would likely feel weighed down, considering the substantial energy required for our bodies to digest such a heavy meal.
Our diets often disrupt the balance of good bacteria in our guts, which are crucial for absorbing nutrients and maintaining overall well-being. These resilient good bacteria not only suppress the bad bacteria, but also support proper digestion, giving our bodies the rest they need. But it’s not as simple as having a burger followed by some kefir – it requires a dedicated energy and commitment to dietary changes.
In addition to diet, medications can significantly impact the balance of good bacteria in our bodies. Antibiotics, while effective at targeting harmful bacteria, also indiscriminately eliminate beneficial bacteria. This is where probiotics, like kefir, play a vital role in restoring the equilibrium of good bacteria.
Kefir: A Probiotic Powerhouse
Kefir is a probiotic beverage known for its health benefits. Unlike its name suggests, it is not made from grains, but from “grains” that resemble cauliflower or gelatin. These “grains” are actually a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), similar to those used in making kombucha. When added to milk, the SCOBY ferments and feeds off the lactose, enriching the milk with 30-50 strains of beneficial bacteria. In comparison, store-bought kefir typically contains about 6 strains of bacteria. This process results in a creamy, tangy beverage packed with probiotics, and it may offer more diverse microbial benefits than commercially produced kefir.
Benefits of Kefir for Your Health
Kefir, a fermented product rich in biotin and folate, offers various health benefits when incorporated into your daily diet. These benefits include:
Boosting Immune System: The high presence of biotin and folate in Kefir is directly linked to supporting the immune system.
Fighting off Cancerous Cells: By promoting the healing of the gut with the presence of good bacteria, Kefir helps in fighting off toxins associated with the development of cancerous cells in the body.
Supporting Digestion: The good bacteria present in Kefir aid in healing the gut and intestinal tract, promoting proper digestion, especially when combined with the right diet.
Reducing Allergies: The live microorganisms in Kefir contribute to reducing inflammation in the body, thereby helping to minimize allergic reactions.
Incorporating Kefir into your daily diet, multiple times a day, can promote the body’s healing process by enriching it with beneficial bacteria. The process of fermentation involved in Kefir production preserves the product through the action of good bacteria. While our bodies require bacteria for balance, an imbalance characterized by an excess of harmful bacteria can lead to various health issues like fatigue, allergies, stomach problems, depression, anxiety, and thyroid issues. Failure to maintain a balance with bacteria in our systems may even lead to the development of leaky gut syndrome.
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Our bodies are like castles, and the gut is the mighty fortress at its core. Just as a castle’s defenses can weaken over time, our gut can also succumb to the pressures of modern life—processed foods, medications, alcohol, and caffeine. This can lead to the dreaded “leaky gut syndrome,” where the intricate gateway to our blood system, known as tight junctions, starts to malfunction.
When these junctions open, they unleash a torrent of toxins from your intestines into your bloodstream, wreaking havoc as they travel straight to the brain. The consequences can be dire, potentially contributing to conditions like Autism, Alzheimer’s, depression, and ADHD. It’s a sobering reminder of the profound connection between gut health and overall well-being.
Delve deeper into this fascinating topic by exploring the groundbreaking research of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, a renowned authority on gut health. She sheds light on the pivotal role of the gut in our physical and mental health, offering invaluable insights into nurturing this vital fortress within us.
Making Your Own Kefir at Home
Making kefir at home is an intriguing process. You simply leave milk out on your counter for 24-36 hours with the kefir grains inside. At first, it can be nerve-racking because the thought of whether you did it right will be running through your head. However, it’s actually quite hard to mess up. The kefir grains infuse the milk with beneficial bacteria, making it nearly impossible for bad bacteria to grow. This fermentation process produces a unique, tangy drink that is not only delicious but also packed with probiotics. If you’re looking to add a homemade, healthy twist to your diet, making kefir at home could be worth a try.
Some bacteria and yeasts found in kefir are:
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
Streptococcus thermophilus
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactococcus lactis
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Leuconostoc
And this is seriously a modest list. However, all grains contain more or less. It is kind of impossible to get all grains tested for which strains they carry. Just know it’s a ton and all that goodness is going into your belly.
How Do I find Grains?
When it comes to buying grains, it’s all about finding the ones that have been treated with love! Yes, you read that right. Happy, healthy, plump grains are the way to go, and they’re the result of being showered with love. It may sound a bit out there, but trust me, it makes a real difference.
Now, you’ve got two options in front of you: fresh or dehydrated. If you can get your hands on the fresh ones, that’s the golden ticket! Sure, the dehydrated ones are still alright, but they might need a bit more time and attention to get back into their happy grain groove.
If you’d like to have some grains that are well loved and organically fed, visit our shop and purchase our very own kefir grains.
What if I am lactose intolerant?
There are some people who are lactose intolerant, I’ve got good news for y’all. Since the grains feed off the lactose, which is the sugar in milk, it’s turns to lactic acid. That sounds kinda creepy, but it’s actually a really amazing thing. Don’t freak out people.
Making kefir is like fermenting vegetables. You are essentially controlling the environment with good bacteria to inhibit the bad. So for those of you lactose intolerant, there is a 99% chance you can drink it with little to no problem.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to spruce up your family’s health, kefir is the way to go! Not only is it a yummy treat, but it’s also a gut-health superhero. Trust us, the feeling of taking control of your well-being is beyond satisfying. So, bottoms up!
Are you dying to know how to make it? Oh my goodness, I thought you would never ask. Let’s roll.
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