The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, makes it necessary to explore new natural sources of antibacterial compounds. Kefir’s properties make it a perfect candidate for use as an alternative treatment for these pathogenic infections. Kefir contains nontransient bacteria that survives the digestive processes and can also re-populate the gut with good bugs that you need for health. Kefir has a wide range of health benefits, including physiological, prophylactic and therapeutic properties. These effects are a result of a wide variety of bioactive compounds produced during the fermentation process and the highly diverse microbiota, which act either independently or synergistically to influence these health benefits.

Research into the beneficial effects of kefir on animals and humans over last few years, suggest we are only scratching the surface of potential beneficial effects of kefir on human and animal physiology (not to mention plants etc) and health. The health benefits of kefir are not just for digestion, they actually influence other parts of your body, including your immune system, heart, and inflammation. The effects of kefir are not always immediate, and drinking one glass of kefir will not solve your problems. High in nutrients and probiotics, it is very beneficial for digestion and gut health. Studies show that kefir can improve health when people drink it regularly (usually daily for 2–4 weeks).

A 350-ml serving of kefir milk contains:

Protein: 8 grams
Calcium: 20% of the RDI
Phosphorus: 30% of the RDI
Vitamin B12: 24% of the RDI
Riboflavin (B2): 20% of the RDI
Magnesium: 6% of the RDI
A substantial amount of vitamin D

Kefir also contains a wide variety of bioactive compounds, including organic acids and peptides that contribute to its health benefits.
These benefits are not just for digestion, they actually influence other parts of your body, including your immune system, heart, and inflammation. The effects of kefir are not always immediate, and drinking one glass of kefir will not solve your problems. High in nutrients and probiotics, it is very beneficial for digestion and gut health. 

SCOBY stands for Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast; it’s this colony that forms the kefir grains. It’s very difficult to produce new grains; most grains are acquired from an established colony. Kefir grains are available to buy online and in health food stores and can be reused indefinitely. Kefir grains are very robust and will thrive under ideal conditions and survive under adverse conditions. Kefir grains can only be damaged by extreme heat above +85 degrees temperature. Temperatures between 65 – 85 degrees are ideal for Kefir grains.

The health benefits of kefir are not just for digestion, they actually influence other parts of your body, including your immune system, heart, and inflammation. The effects of kefir are not always immediate, and drinking one glass of kefir will not solve your problems. High in nutrients and probiotics, it is very beneficial for digestion and gut health.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia among elderly individuals worldwide, leading to a strong cognitive decline and consequent emotional distress and codependence. Its pathophysiology is multifactorial, but traditionally characterised by senile plaques production and deposit through the amyloidogenic pathway. In this pathway, the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is cleaved by the β-secretase enzyme, generating an Aβ peptide of 40 and 42 amino acids, which oligomerises and fibrilises, causing senile plaques and leading to synapse degeneration. Recent studies indicate that dysbiosis—characterised by host gut-microbiome disbalance—plays a big role in AD’s pathology. These alterations may contribute to neuronal damage by inhibiting pathways related to Aβ clearance, or directly by improving this peptides production or accumulation.

To overcome dysbiosis, probiotics have shown to be a great therapeutic alternative for Alzheimer’s Disease. Within this approach, kefir—natural probiotic drink constituted by symbiotic bacteria and yeasts have been used. It uses milk as a substrate, producing metabolic molecules with health-improving effects, as antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Kefir administration has shown to be able to attenuate AD effect both in rats, through inflammatory process modulations, and in AD patients, improved cognitive function and lowering both oxidative stress levels and red cells damage.

Microbial compositions found in kefir and kefir grains of different origins.