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SPECIAL USES OF KEFIR
Is kefir a highly recommended natural food?
It’s necessary to keep in mind that, like all natural foods, their beneficial effects aren’t instantaneous, and to achieve them, correct nutrition is necessary in a constant and lasting manner.
Although it is true that an extra intake of food that has beneficial effects on our body, that is, when used as a dietary supplement, favors a faster recovery from a state of deficiency.
It is worth noting that it can be made with soy milk, resulting in the same beneficial effect, although with a longer fermentation time and a less viscous texture.
Who is kefir especially useful for?
Among the situations where it is highly recommended to drink kefir, we would have the following:
- In cases of nervousness: Nervous problems often manifest themselves in the form of different bodily pathologies. For example, in cases of difficulty getting a restful sleep, in cases of mild depression, or even in cases of anxiety or stress, this food can be consumed as it can be beneficial due to its content of an amino acid called tryptophan, which helps counteract these symptoms by providing a pleasant feeling of well-being and relaxation to the nervous system.
In any case, its consumption is only recommended if the person suffering from these symptoms is not taking medication or, if so, after informing their doctor before starting use. Its high content of B vitamins will also help maintain proper nervous system function. These are sometimes recommended in supplement form for this purpose.
- For metabolic problems and vitamin deficiency: Its consumption is also recommended to improve glucose metabolism, for proper brain function, or even in cases where an extra supply of these vitamins is needed, whether due to hair and nail weakness, anemia, tissue regeneration, etc.
- For bone and teeth problems: Due to its mineral content, it is recommended in cases of osteoporosis, weakness in bones and teeth, difficulty in contracting and relaxing muscles, or even in cases of continued immobilization for long periods.
- For low defenses and intestinal problems: Obviously, like yogurt, and due to its probiotic effect, it will be recommended in cases where it is necessary to increase or restore our body’s immunity to normal and safe levels and also in cases where our intestinal flora is negatively affected, causing diarrhea, gas or constipation, even if the mucosa is irritated or we have difficulty absorbing nutrients.
Specifically, in cases of diarrhea or constipation, the kefir’s fermentation time will vary depending on what it’s used for, as its action will change. It is recommended that it does not exceed one day of fermentation for cases of excessive fluid loss, such as diarrhea, and for constipation, that it is prepared with a longer time.
- In cases of malnutrition. It is especially useful in situations involving malnutrition, as it improves the ability to assimilate food and regenerates the mucosa, whether in the stomach or skin. (See: Nutritional value of kefir)
When should you not eat kefir?
The consumption of this food is totally contraindicated if you suffer from galactosemia (inability to digest galactose or milk sugar) or allergy to milk protein.
Can people with milk intolerance and celiac disease eat kefir?
In cases of milk intolerance and in patients with celiac disease, the situation is different. Whether it’s advisable to consume it will have to be assessed based on the level of intolerance, but kefir is more likely to be tolerated since its production produces a small amount of enzymes responsible for digesting lactose.
More information on kefir
