Regular consumption of kefir, rich in probiotics, can significantly improve digestion

It took me a while to learn to drink kefir regularly. I remember as a child I never liked it and always drank it out of compulsion. Nowadays, I’m almost sad to think how many probiotics ended up in the sink drain when no one was looking. And then I would proudly tell my parents that I had already drunk my “medicine”. It wasn’t until time passed that I came to like it and now I take it almost every day. And not just as a tasty and refreshing drink. Kefir is packed with vitamins and minerals and I have noticed that since I have been drinking it regularly, it has had an effect on my digestion.

Kefir is a drink that is made by the action of specific bacterial and yeast cultures. These organisms in it are the reason why it is so healthy. Kefir is traditionally made from cow’s, goat’s or sheep’s milk, but nowadays plant-based versions are also available, so even people who avoid animal products can improve their digestion with the drink.

Special milk drink

Kefir is quite different from other milk drinks. People sometimes confuse it with buttermilk, but buttermilk is a by-product of butter production, while kefir is made by fermenting milk with kefir cultures. It is more fermented and contains more probiotics. Some people have a problem with the taste of kefir precisely because it is even slightly more sour than buttermilk, and it tends to be slightly fizzy.

I used to avoid both of these drinks. Later I discovered that buttermilk actually tastes quite good, at first I ate it as part of salads, for example with grated cucumbers and a little salt. When I got used to its taste, I gradually switched to kefir as well. And today, I don’t even know why I didn’t like it when I was growing up. Maybe it was simply because it was forced on me, and I simply had to understand its health benefits more as an adult.

Improves your digestion

Kefir contains natural probiotics. These support the immune system, so drinking this drink regularly can reduce susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections. But the main reason I’ve come to love kefir is its effect on digestion. Feelings of fullness, bloating or constipation are very unpleasant problems that one does not like to talk about. If you learn to drink kefir regularly, you can avoid this issue.

“The probiotics in kefir can help in various ways. Most commonly, they help soften stools and regulate the muscles of the intestines so that they work more efficiently. This can improve digestion and prevent constipation,” explains the specific effects of kefir on digestion , Alyssa Simpson, a nutrition counselor.

Calcium, magnesium and zinc are minerals that support muscles and bones. This drink is full of them, so if, like me, you have problems with frequent injuries, drinking kefir regularly can also ease their severity after a while. Last but not least, you will find vitamin K2 in the drink, which prevents the accumulation of calcium in the blood vessels.

There are a number of reasons to get used to a glass of kefir a day. Personally, I know several of my friends who are still sticking to their New Year’s resolution and trying to lose some pounds. Kefir reduces appetite and helps satiety, so as part of a diet it is excellent. And if you don’t like it on its own, try it in a cucumber salad, for example, or as an ingredient in baking healthy, low-calorie dishes.

“The goal of drinking kefir is to introduce beneficial bacteria into the body that will improve gut health… it can promote digestive health regardless of the time of day you consume it,” explains nutritionist Marie-Pierre St-Onge. So it’s entirely up to you whether you have a glass of kefir in the morning or sip it in the afternoon, perhaps with dessert after lunch.