Kefir and its impact on weight loss

January 24. 2022

When we’re trying to get rid of that extra weight, we’re mainly focused on getting rid of excess fats in our bodies. Even though our body needs stored fat for necessary processes, if we eat unhealthily, our body will have way too much fat stored because it won’t have enough time to spend it. So, we end up with excess weight.

Milk, cheese, yogurt, and kefir have been a staple in the human diet for centuries. These foods are high in calcium protein and offer a lot of nutrients per serving. Kefir and yogurt are also known to aid weight loss. Let’s see how!

What is kefir, and how is it made?

Kefir is a cultured and fermented dairy (or non-dairy) beverage similar to yogurt but with a thinner consistency. It can be described as a tangy yogurt with a sour taste and slight fizz due to carbon dioxide. This drink can be made with goat, sheep, or cow milk, but also with coconut water or plant-based milk. The base ingredient is combined with kefir grains, a mixture of bacteria, yeast, and casein. These grains ferment the base by transferring all beneficial bacteria and yeast. The kefir grains are then strained, leaving behind this creamy beverage. During the fermentation process, lactic acid bacteria produce lactase which consumes lactose, meaning lactose-intolerant individuals can enjoy all types of kefir. Many of kefir’s ingredients can provide a wide range of health benefits and help lose weight.

Kefir is rich in probiotic bacteria that may ease IBS symptoms such as bloating and digestive distress. Having this drink regularly has shown a positive impact on blood pressure, cholesterol balance, and blood sugar management. 

Benefits of kefir on weight loss

Kefir can help you lose weight in more than one way. It is well known that diets lacking protein, fiber, and vitamins contribute to overeating and feeling hungry. A single serving of kefir is low in calories but rich in protein and vitamins, so it’s perfect when trying to lose weight. It is also rich with bacteria species that increase satiety, so it also helps you feel full for longer. If you continue to struggle with satisfying your satiety even though you added kefir to your diet, you can try adding appetite suppressants as well, like phentermine for weight loss.

Kefir can help balance out your gut microbiota, which can be the leading cause of obesity if imbalanced. This drink is known to improve metabolic efficiency, so having kefir can boost fat reduction. By improving your digestion system, you make better use of what you’re eating.

Another component of kefir that is beneficial for losing weight is dietary calcium. This component helps suppress calcitriol which triggers fat cell breakdown in the body.

Other health benefits of kefir

As mentioned before, kefir provides many health benefits, and those include:

• Keeping your gut healthy

Our bowels contain both good and bad bacteria, so it is essential to keep them balanced. Kefir belongs to probiotic foods, so it can alleviate symptoms and protect you from certain gastrointestinal diseases. 

• It’s lactose-friendly

If you’re lactose intolerant, hitting your daily probiotic intake must be challenging. This drink contains lactic acid that helps break down lactose, making it easier for your digestive system.

• It can alleviate allergies

Kefir was found to suppress the IgE response; an antibody produced when the immune system overreacts to an allergy. This drink also showed a decrease in bacteria, the most common source of food poisoning. As you can see, kefir shows results in preventing all kinds of food allergies.

• Maintains strong bones

Because kefir is rich in calcium, an essential nutrient for maintaining strong and healthy bones, having this drink can help you reach a daily calcium goal. It can also help your body absorb calcium better.

• Detoxifies your body

Your body needs regular discharge of harmful chemicals, toxins, and poisonous waste. Kefir helps detoxify your body so it can function correctly. If you want to aid in the kefir detoxification effect, we suggest you try lipo c injections, which help your body free itself from toxins and trigger the stubborn fats you want to get rid of. 

Can you make kefir at home?

Of course! It is easy to make and requires minimal equipment – another reason to add it to your diet. Kefir has a bit of a reputation because of its taste, but it’s easy to control the process so you can make it to your taste.

Now, the recipe goes like this:

1. Put ½ tsp kefir grains in the jar, followed by a pint of milk.
2. Leave it on the worktop for 18-24 hours to ferment, meaning until the milk has thickened.
3. Strain the kefir into a jug or bottle. You can add flavor to it with a slice of lemon peel or a drop of lemon oil, refrigerate it, and enjoy your homemade kefir.

Side effects

Making kefir can sometimes end up with this drink having more probiotic bacteria than usual. Having this drink can cause bloating, constipation, or diarrhea for those who are not used to probiotic foods. So, anyone with a compromised immune system or histamine intolerance should speak to a health professional before introducing fermented food intake.

If you are lactose intolerant, diagnosed with IBD or IBS, always consult a weight loss clinic before introducing fermented foods to your weight loss diet because, in some cases, they can make symptoms worse.

Final thoughts

Adding kefir to your diet and using it for weight loss can potentially trigger cramping, gas, and bloating after consuming. There’s no need to worry. Our body needs time to adjust and get used to the probiotic presence. That’s why you should slowly add it to your daily diet and gradually increase its intake. As you can see, kefir can be very beneficial to your overall health and gives fantastic results with weight loss. You’ll get the best results if you have a cup of kefir in the morning, enjoy another one between meals and have your last one before bed. If you’re interested in adding kefir to your diet, schedule an appointment with our health professionals today and get started as soon as possible.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.