This is a fermented drink using kefir grains, which look like small cauliflower florets, and ideally made with raw, organic milk rather than the supermarket bought variety as it has far more nutrients. This milk ferments over a period of 24-48 hours to produce a thick, sour tasting drink which contains a huge amount of good bacteria for the gut. 80% of our immune system is in the gut so if your gut is under functioning then so is your immune system. Kefir contains millions of bacteria, which helps to re-populate our precious gut bacteria, as well as keeping the strains already there healthy, this is a super food and it’s been around centuries!
I have been making kefir for years as it’s easy and only takes 5 minutes every other day. I drink about 6 – 8 ounces every day and often when I am feeling a little hungry. Some people take longer to get used to the sour taste than others but it’s well worth persevering with as the benefits are enormous. If you decide to try it start slowly, especially if you have a sensitive gut, and build up to the desired amount gradually. Many people are sensitive to dairy but can tolerate raw organic unpasteurised produce so you decide what’s best for you.
Fermented foods have been around thousands of years and, apart from kefir, would include kombucha, kimchi and sauerkraut. These foods contain good bacteria and are far superior to the western modern day equivalent of a man-made probiotic capsule. Having said that though, we need to be realistic of what we can and cannot do in today’s busy society as we are often short of time. In this case a good quality probiotic capsule fits the bill nicely!
A good place to start if you wish to research buying already made kefir, or the grains, is www.nourishkefir.co.uk – there’s also a huge amount on YouTube.