Kefir
OTHER NAME(S): Fermented Dairy Product, Fromage Kéfir, Kefir Cheese, Kefir Grains, Kefir Yogurt, Kellermilch, Kjaklder Mjoklk, Lait Fermenté, Omaere, Produit Laitier Fermenté, Rob, Roba, Tarag, None., Kéfir
Overview
Kefir is a creamy and tart probiotic drink that's made by adding kefir grains to milk and allowing it to ferment. The grains contain bacteria and yeast.
Kefir grains resemble cooked cauliflower. The bacteria and yeast they contain depend on where the kefir is made. Lactobacillus lactis, Lactobacillus casei, and other Lactobacillus species may be present in kefir. Many of these species can survive traveling through the stomach to the intestinal tract.
People use kefir for hay fever, diarrhea from antibiotics, athletic performance, constipation, Crohn disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, osteoporosis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse kefir with other fermented dairy products, including fermented milk and yogurt. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Kefir overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Kefir is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include bloating, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms usually go away after continued use.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Kefir is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include bloating, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms usually go away after continued use.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if kefir is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Kefir is possibly safe for children between the ages of 1 and 5 years when taken by mouth for up to 10 days.
AIDS and other conditions that weaken the immune system: Kefir contains actively growing bacteria and yeast. People with a weakened immune system might be more likely to develop infections from these bacteria or yeast.
Colon cancer: In people undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer, kefir might increase side effects such as stomach and intestinal problems, mouth sores, drowsiness, sweats, and hair loss.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with KefirKefir contains live bacteria and yeast. The immune system usually controls bacteria and yeast in the body to prevent infections. Taking kefir along with medications that decrease the immune system might increase the chances of getting sick from bacteria and yeast.
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
- Disulfiram (Antabuse) interacts with KefirKefir might contain alcohol. The body breaks down alcohol to get rid of it. Disulfiram decreases the break-down of alcohol. Taking kefir along with disulfiram can cause a pounding headache, vomiting, flushing, and other unpleasant reactions. Don't drink any alcohol if you are taking disulfiram.
Dosing
Kefir is most often used by adults in doses of 400-500 mL by mouth daily for up to 4 weeks. Lower doses of 100-180 mL daily have been used for up to 12 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
References
- Schaafsma G, Meuling WJ, van Dokkum W, Bouley C. Effects of a milk product, fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus and with fructo-oligosaccharides added, on blood lipids in male volunteers. Eur J Clin Nutr 1998;52:436-40.
- St-Onge MP, Farnworth ER, Savard T, et al. Kefir consumption does not alter plasma lipid levels or cholesterol fractional synthesis rates relative to milk in hyperlipidemic men: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN10820810]. BMC Complement Altern Med 2002;2:1.
- Agerbaek M, Gerdes LU, Richelsen B. Hypocholesterolaemic effect of a new fermented milk product in healthy middle-aged men. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995;49:346-52.
- Richelsen B, Kristensen K, Pedersen SB. Long-term (6 months) effect of a new fermented milk product on the level of plasma lipoproteins--a placebo-controlled and double blind study (abstract). Eur J Clin Nutr 1996;50:811-5.
- Murofushi M, Mizuguchi J, Aibara K, Matuhasi T. Immunopotentiative effect of polysaccharide from kefir grain, KGF-C, administered orally in mice. Immunopharmacology 1986;12:29-35.
- Shiomi M, Sasaki K, Murofushi M, Aibara K. Antitumor activity in mice of orally administered polysaccharide from Kefir grain. Jpn J Med Sci Biol 1982;35:75-80.
- Rimada PS, Abraham AG. Polysaccharide production by kefir grains during whey fermentation. J Dairy Res 2001;68:653-61.
- De Vrese M, Keller B, Barth CA. Enhancement of intestinal hydrolysis of lactose by microbial beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) of kefir. Br J Nutr 1992;67:67-75.
- Simova E, Beshkova D, Angelov A, et al. Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in kefir grains and kefir made from them. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2002;28:1-6.
- Alm L. Effect of fermentation on lactose, glucose, and galactose content in milk and suitability of fermented milk products for lactose intolerant individuals. J Dairy Sci 1982;65:346-52.
- Marquina D, Santos A, Corpas I, et al. Dietary influence of kefir on microbial activities in the mouse bowel. Lett Appl Microbiol 2002;35:136-40.
- Thoreux K, Schmucker DL. Kefir milk enhances intestinal immunity in young but not old rats. J Nutr 2001;131:807-12.
- Murofushi M, Shiomi M, Aibara K. Effect of orally administered polysaccharide from kefir grain on delayed-type hypersensitivity and tumor growth in mice. Jpn J Med Sci Biol 1983;36:49-53.
- Merenstein DJ, Foster J, D'Amico F. A randomized clinical trial measuring the influence of kefir on antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009;163:750-4.
- Athanasiadis, I., Boskou, D., Kanellaki, M., and Koutinas, A. A. Low-temperature alcoholic fermentation by delignified cellulosic material supported cells of kefir yeast. J.Agric.Food Chem. 1999;47(10):4474-4477.
- Hertzler, S. R. and Clancy, S. M. Kefir improves lactose digestion and tolerance in adults with lactose maldigestion. J.Am.Diet.Assoc. 2003;103(5):582-587.
- Figler, M., Mozsik, G., Schaffer, B., Gasztonyi, B., Acs, P., Szili, B., Rab, R., and Szakaly, S. Effect of special Hungarian probiotic kefir on faecal microflora. World J Gastroenterol. 2-21-2006;12(7):1129-1132.
- Topuz, E., Derin, D., Can, G., Kurklu, E., Cinar, S., Aykan, F., Cevikbas, A., Disci, R., Durna, Z., Sakar, B., Saglam, S., Tanyeri, H., Deniz, G., Gurer, U., Tas, F., Guney, N., and Aydiner, A. Effect of oral administration of kefir on serum proinflammatory cytokines on 5-FU induced oral mucositis in patients with colorectal cancer. Invest New Drugs 2008;26(6):567-572.
- Rabl, W., Liniger, B., Sutter, K., and Sigrist, T. [Ethanol content of Kefir water]. Blutalkohol 1994;31(2):76-79.
- Bekar O, Yilmaz Y, Gulten M. Kefir improves the efficacy and tolerability of triple therapy in eradicating Helicobacter pylori. J Med Food. 2011;14(4):344-7.
- Can G, Topuz E, Derin D, Durna Z, Aydiner A. Effect of kefir on the quality of life of patients being treated for colorectal cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2009;36(6):E335-42.
- Fathi Y, Faghih S, Zibaeenezhad MJ, Tabatabaei SH. Kefir drink leads to a similar weight loss, compared with milk, in a dairy-rich non-energy-restricted diet in overweight or obese premenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2016;55(1):295-304.
- O'Brien KV, Stewart LK, Forney LA, Aryana KJ, Prinyawiwatkul W, Boeneke CA. The effects of postexercise consumption of a kefir beverage on performance and recovery during intensive endurance training. J Dairy Sci. 2015;98(11):7446-9.
- Tu MY, Chen HL, Tung YT, Kao CC, Hu FC, Chen CM. Short-term effects of kefir-fermented milk consumption on bone mineral density and bone metabolism in a randomized clinical trial of osteoporotic patients. PLoS One. 2015;10(12):e0144231.
- Turan I, Dedeli Ö, Bor S, Ilter T. Effects of a kefir supplement on symptoms, colonic transit, and bowel satisfaction score in patients with chronic constipation: a pilot study. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2014;25(6):650-6.
- Bellikci-Koyu E, Sarer-Yurekli BP, Akyon Y, et al. Effects of regular kefir consumption on gut microbiota in patients with metabolic syndrome: A parallel-group, randomized, controlled study. Nutrients. 2019;11(9). pii: E2089.
- Yilmaz I, Dolar ME, Özpinar H. Effect of administering kefir on the changes in fecal microbiota and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease: A randomized controlled trial. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2019;30(3):242-253.
- Wang MC, Zaydi AI, Lin WH, Lin JS, Liong MT, Wu JJ. Putative probiotic strains isolated from kefir improve gastrointestinal health parameters in adults: a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2019.
- Silva-Cutini MA, Almeida SA, Nascimento AM, et al. Long-term treatment with kefir probiotics ameliorates cardiac function in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Nutr Biochem. 2019;66:79-85.
- Özcan H, Oskay Ü, Bodur AF. Effects of kefir on quality of life and sleep disturbances in postmenopausal women. Holist Nurs Pract. 2019;33(4):207-213.
- Salari A, Ghodrat S, Gheflati A, Jarahi L, Hashemi M, Afshari A. Effect of kefir beverage consumption on glycemic control: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2021;44:101443.
- Lee MC, Jhang WL, Lee CC, et al. The Effect of Kefir Supplementation on Improving Human Endurance Exercise Performance and Antifatigue. Metabolites 2021;11(3):136.
- Alves E, Gregório J, Rijo P, Rosado C, Rodrigues LM. The Impact of Kefir on Epidermal Water Homeostasis in Healthy Human Skin. Life (Basel) 2022;12(7):1075.
- Chen YT, Hsu AH, Chiou SY, Lin YC, Lin JS. AB-Kefir Reduced Body Weight and Ameliorated Inflammation in Adipose Tissue of Obese Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet, but Not a High-Sucrose Diet. Nutrients 2021;13(7):2182.
- Alves E, Gregório J, Baby AR, Rijo P, Rodrigues LM, Rosado C. Homemade Kefir Consumption Improves Skin Condition-A Study Conducted in Healthy and Atopic Volunteers. Foods 2021;10(11):2794.
- Reddy S, Madhu V, Punithavathy R, Satyam M, Chowdary UK, Mythraiye R. Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Kefir Milk Probiotic Curd and Probiotic Drink on Streptococcus mutans in 8-12-year-old Children: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(1):120-127.
- Bellikci-Koyu E, Sarer-Yurekli BP, Karagozlu C, Aydin-Kose F, Ozgen AG, Buyuktuncer Z. Probiotic kefir consumption improves serum apolipoprotein A1 levels in metabolic syndrome patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Nutr Res 2022;102:59-70.
- Yahyapoor F, Haghighat N, Sohrabi Z, et al. Effects of Kefir Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Drug Targets 2023.
- Rodríguez-Hernández AI, Salinas E, Tirado González DN, et al. Effects of a Modern Kefir on Conditions Associated with Moderate Severe Spastic Quadriparesis Cerebral Palsy. Microorganisms 2022;10(7):1291.
- Koksal ZG, Uysal P, Mercan A, Bese SA, Erge D. Does maternal fermented dairy products consumption protect against cow's milk protein allergy in toddlers?. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2023;130(3):333-339.
- Gross KN, Harty PS, Krieger JM, et al. Milk or Kefir, in Comparison to Water, Do Not Enhance Running Time-Trial Performance in Endurance Master Athletes. Nutrients 2024;16(5):717.