For a couple of years now, healthy eating has gained followers around the world, which is why superfoods like chia, amaranth, flaxseed, and oats are present in all kinds of dishes and products. On the other hand, golden milk, turmeric, ginger, and other powerful ingredients have skyrocketed to fame, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, foods rich in probiotics have not lagged behind, especially kefir.

If you visit any health food store or supermarket, you have surely noticed that the offer of dairy products rich in probiotics has increased, so there is much to choose from. Kefir deserves special mention, as it has become a staple for many, due to its incredible health benefits for the gut.

Currently, there are two versions of this Turkish-origin drink: milk kefir and water kefir, but the milk version is the easiest to find in Mexico. So if you also want to take advantage of the best of this drink made with grains, don't miss the information we have for you!

You can also read: How to care for milk grains? 

What is kefir?
Kefir is a creamy, tangy, and somewhat effervescent drink that originated hundreds of years ago in the region we know today as Turkey. In Mexico, many of us consumed kefir from a young age, as it was common for grandmothers to prepare milk grains at home, which was then mixed with fruits and nuts, making it the most complete and healthy breakfast!

In general, preparing kefir is very simple and economical, so you could save a lot of money if you make it at home, you just need to follow these steps!

Instructions

1. Soak the grains in the milk for 12 hours.
2. Cover with a cloth and keep away from sunlight.
3. Stir the mixture from time to time.
4. The milk or yogurt from the grains will be ready when it has a tangy flavor and a viscous texture.
5. Strain the milk grains, rinse, drain, and store in a glass or plastic jar.
6. You can blend with fruit, honey, nuts, almonds, or seeds.

You can also read: Psychobiotic diet to combat stress

What are probiotics?
You have likely heard a lot about probiotics, small organisms that improve gut health, digestion, and much more. So to encourage you to prepare milk grains or kefir, we explain the advantages of including probiotics in your diet, take note!

Probiotics are a type of live microorganism that improves health and is found in many foods, especially those that have undergone a fermentation process. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explain that “not all foods and dietary supplements labeled as ‘probiotics’ have been shown to be beneficial to health,” so be cautious.

How do probiotics work?
Experts indicate that probiotics have an impact on the gut microbiome, that is, on all the bacteria and microorganisms that live in the large intestine. So when you consume foods rich in probiotics, it helps improve digestion, benefits intestinal function, and also protects us from harmful microorganisms.

Although there are many types of probiotics, the most common are "lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, saccharomyces, streptococci, enterococci, escherichia, and bacilli," according to the NIH.

It is worth mentioning that, although kefir or milk grains are excellent options, probiotics are also present in other foods:

• Yogurt
• Fermented cabbage
• Kimchi
• Kombucha
• Pickles
• Buttermilk
• Cottage cheese
• mozzarella cheese
• Gouda cheese
• Cheddar cheese

We should emphasize that, although there are dietary supplements and probiotic gummies, these are often much more expensive than foods rich in live microorganisms. So analyze all possibilities and make an informed decision to improve your gut health.

You can also read: What are milk grains and what are their benefits? 

What are the benefits of kefir?
According to the portal WebMD, this drink is a wonderful option, as it "contains around 30 unique strains of probiotics, a type of good bacteria that improve gut health and could assist in the body's digestive process."

On the other hand, the Mexican federal government explains that kefir has the following benefits:

• Protects against stomach acidity.
• Prevents and controls infections, diarrhea, constipation, and colitis.
• Recommended after a course of antibiotics.
• Restores the gut flora affected by medications.

The best part is that the benefits of this drink made from grains don’t end there, as it is also rich in these nutrients:

• Folic acid
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K