Blog 2: What is Kefir?

Blog 2: What is Kefir?:

Kefir is a strain that my group and I are concentrating on within Nutriplus so I’ve thus decided to look more into it, as I’ve never heard of it until recently. Our idea is concentrating on helping prevent Crohn’s symptoms and Kefir is widely recommended to consume for those who have Crohn's. Crohn's causes an overgrowth of bacteria in the bowel and what kefir does is help that by using "good" bacteria through probiotics. Kefir is a cultured, cream based product with numerous health benefits that is considered a healthier and more powerful version of natural yogurt with huge natural benefits. The natural occurring bacteria that are with Kefir combine symbiotically to help give superior health benefits when it is consumed on a regular basis. Kefir contains valuable vitamins & minerals and contains complete proteins that are easily digested.

 My group and I discussed making a water based product for the lactose intolerance as people who have Crohn’s disease are also widely susceptible to other diseases. However, Kefir’s overload of the beneficial yeast and bacteria helps to provide lactase, this is an enzyme that consumes the majority of the lactose that remains after the culturing process making it consumable for those who have lactose intolerance as well as Crohn’s. Therefore there is very little need for the water-based product unless it is more beneficial to our product on a sensory level which we haven’t looked into yet.

We will be able to supplement kefir from nearly any milk product as it is made from all kinds, ranging from cows & goats to soya & coconut. Although kefir can cause a mucous style foaming, this foaming is considered good and creates ideal conditions within the digestive tract for the colonization of good bacteria, which is an added benefit to our product. It is produced from a gelatin-based grain. These grains contain the friendly bacteria’s and yeast. The kefir grains ferment the milk to create a cultured product. 

Kefir benefits include;

1. Vitamin & mineral source.

2. Powerful probiotic.

3. Contains antibacterial properties.

4. Improves bone health.

5. Helps against digestive problems.

6. Well tolerated by people who have lactose intolerance.

7. Helps with asthma and allergies.

8. Easy to make.

I researched and sourced all my information from the below link, so feel free to look further into it to anyone who actually reads these blogs.

What is Kefir?. 2015. What is Kefir?. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.kefir.net/what-is-kefir/.[Accessed 03 October 2015].