Kefir has been made for generations by Asian and Central European farmers as a way to boost gut health and help strengthen the body in the form of a dense, fermented beverage. Even Marco Polo wrote about this wonder drink, believe it or not. The live microorganisms present in kefir help promote the immune system to naturally suppress allergic reactions and aid in changing the body’s response to the systemic outbreak points for allergies. ( 8) Kefir also contains another powerful compound found only in this probiotic drink, an insoluble polysaccharide called kefiran. A 2005 study published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents showed kefiran is antimicrobial, helps fight against candida symptoms and even speeds healing of external wounds. ( 4) 2. Digestive Aid Chemicalized nutrition may not have the exact same chemical structure which means it may have to be used differently or it may not be absorbed at all depending on how the body “interprets” the shape. (This is also one of the reasons why consuming GMO’s is also so harmful; the body doesn’t recognize the GMO and creates an autoimmune response to it thinking its an invader — which of course, it is.)

The hydration power and high electrolyte content of coconut kefir can also help combat chemotherapy’s common side effects of diarrhea, dehydration and general nutrient depletion. Leading conventional cancer treatment centers even recommend coconut water as part of management of chemo symptoms. ( 13) Coconut kefir is an even better choice than coconut water since coconut kefir can replenish the good bacteria that chemotherapy kills, replenish electrolytes and provide hydration. 5. Safe to Consume for Those with Lactose Intolerance Coconut water alone contains multiple vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that are ideal for human health. It’s especially high in potassium and also contains cytokinins, which are naturally occurring plant hormones that may help reduce the growth of cancer cells. ( 16) An awesome aspect of making coconut kefir is that you don’t lose any of the nutritional value of coconut water after fermenting it with kefir grains.

Rewards For Life

Kefir made with dairy is typically tolerated well by lactose intolerant people, but some people are extremely lactose intolerant and avoid dairy at all cost. Other people are looking for a change in flavor and slightly different nutritional compounds in their kefir drinks. Coconut kefir is a great alternative to milk kefir with its delicious flavor profile plus the amazing benefits of coconuts and coconut water to boot. Related: Probiotics Benefits, Foods and Supplements — a Beginner’s Guide Health Benefits 1. Immune System Booster Coconut kefir is both lactose-free and gluten-free. It’s simply coconut water that has been fermented with kefir grains. Similar to dairy-based kefirs, coconut kefir supplies your gut with lots of beneficial bacteria that improve your immune system, digestive system and fight infection. Coconut kefir is an excellent way to up your daily probiotic intake and get your allergies and asthma under control. Various forms of allergies and asthma are all linked to internal inflammation and suboptimal gut health. In animal studies conducted at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology’s Natural Medicine Research Center, kefir was shown to reduce inflammatory cells disrupting the lungs and air passages, as well as reduce mucus buildup. ( 7) There aren’t many side effects of consuming coconut kefir. When you first start consuming any type of kefir, constipation and intestinal cramping can occur, especially if your system is worn down, severely compromised, or not accustomed to certain types of yeast and bacterial strains.

Those wanting the benefit on a budget may dilute coconut water by half to stretch it longer. If that is the case, then use 50% of the sugar called for in the recipe. The good thing is that the kefir grains, once they get going, will continue to perpetuate themselves indefinitely. Coconut milk and coconut yogurt do not hold the same nutritional profile as coconut water, which offers more nutrients and is more beneficial for hydration purposes. Interesting Facts The probiotics found in coconut kefir are excellent for discouraging constipation and encouraging healthy elimination on a regular basis. The probiotics also help restore your good flora that fight against pathogens and aid against disruptive diarrhea and other gastrointestinal side effects caused by taking antibiotics. ( 5)Coconut water kefir may seem like a luxury due to the high cost or limited availability of coconuts in any particular region. For those who need the additional nutrition, it can be well worth the expense and far less costly than other supplements or pharmaceutical treatments. Coconut water also comes in many different forms including frozen, in tetrapaks, or fresh. We have taste tested and found that fresh coconut water tastes best fresh and frozen or tetrapak coconut water tastes better as kefir. Coconut kefir can also help fight cancer due to coconut water’s antiviral properties. Research published in 2009 identified not one but three antimicrobial peptides in green coconut water. ( 12) Water kefir does contain fewer strains of bacteria and yeasts than milk kefir, but water kefir typically contains a lot more beneficial bacteria than yogurt or buttermilk. ( 20) You can also use milk kefir grains to make coconut milk kefir. Mass production of kefir didn’t begin until the mid 1900s in Russia, but 1.2 million tons of the fermented product was produced by the late 20th century. ( 18)

What is kefir? It’s a delicious, tangy, probiotic drink traditionally made with kefir grains and fermented milk, but kefir can also be made with milk substitutes like nutritious coconut milk. Or it can even be made with coconut water! What Is Coconut Kefir?

For coconut water kefir, it’s ideal to use fresh, young coconuts and extract the water yourself. Store-bought coconut water is pasteurized and therefore won’t contain all the natural goodness of fresh coconut water. Coconut water kefir contains only young coconut water and the residual good bacteria left over from the kefir grains. Coconuts come from the palm tree family, Arecacaeae. The coconut is actually the seed, or nut, from the coconut palm. Nutrition in a living form often takes a different shape (chemical structure) than its chemicalized form (found in supplements, added to food, or in pill form). So when the body receives nutrition in the shape that it has evolved to recognize, uptake of that nutrition happens seamlessly.