The food industry is a bit like fashion. Every year, trends come and go, and this covers food items, diets and wider trends. In the last 12 months, gut health has taken centre stage which has driven an increase in popularity around gut-friendly food products. When it comes to foods that complement your gut, fermented foods have become known as the go to in the gut health world. And leading this charge is a fermented milk drink named kefir. In this article, we’re taking a deep dive into the rise of kefir, discussing why the world has fallen in love with this fermented drink and what the benefits are of adding kefir to your diet.
What Is Kefir?
Kefir is a fermented drink that is made by fermenting milk with kefir grains. While it’s most commonly consumed as a drink, we have now started to see leading brands such as Biotiful offer kefir yogurts, overnight oats and protein products.
Like most fermented products, kefir comes with a sour, tangy taste. But what’s also consistent with most fermented food and drinks is that they are rich in probiotics, also known as good bacteria which help to balance our gut microbiomes. The overall impact of improving the health of your gut is enhanced immunity, better mental wellbeing and a more efficient digestive system.
Is Kefir Worth The Hype?
It’s fair to see that the kefir hype train is in full flow. Whether kefir works for you or not is probably dependent on your tastebuds, the sour taste certainly isn’t for everyone. But given the wide range of kefir-based products on offer today, there’s a strong chance that you’ll be able to find a kefir product that works for you.
It also depends on your health goals, but the wide range of benefits also mean that kefir works for most health ambitions too. We’ve already covered gut health, but there’s also a strong relationship between kefir and weight loss. For those following a high protein diet, there are a variety of high protein kefir options too.
How To Introduce Kefir To Your Diet
If you’re thinking of sampling kefir for yourself, it’s important to find a way that it can be worked into your day. Fortunately, kefir is perfect for all meals and all times of the day. If you want to get your kefir dose in the morning, simply add a glass of kefir to your breakfast. Another great morning option is kefir overnight oats. If you can’t find kefir overnight oats in your local grocery store, it’s fairly straightforward to make your own. Simply follow a standard recipe for overnight oats, but switch out the milk for a kefir drink.
You can also get creative with the way you introduce kefir to your diet. For instance, you can combine kefir with everything from chicken dishes to pancakes. The rise in the popularity of kefir means there’s an abundance of kefir recipes online, so there’s no excuse not to try kefir today.