A Dairy With 3x More Probiotics Than Yogurt: This Superfood Strengthens Bones, Eases Stress, and Soothes the Gut

Yogurt makes smoothies creamy, however its density thickens your drink — a lot in order that it usually received’t work with a straw. For a smoother smoothie, use kefir.

What’s Kefir? Like yogurt, it’s a fermented milk. In contrast to yogurt, it has a skinny consistency. It additionally boasts 3 times extra probiotics than yogurt — benefitting your intestine well being, immune system, and digestive tract — and is low in lactose, making it secure to drink if you happen to’re delicate to dairy. Its tangy taste makes it a super swap for yogurt in your morning smoothie. Beneath are three key advantages of kefir, plus three kefir smoothie recipes to strive.

Kefir Profit #1: It Soothes an Upset Digestive Tract

Probiotic-rich meals like kefir assist keep the fragile steadiness of microbes within the intestine, which might scale back digestive troubles. A 2020 evaluate of research discovered that consuming probiotics might lower signs of gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD) resembling heartburn, nausea, and belly ache. Researchers affiliate this profit with probiotics enhancing the physique’s immune response by producing short-chain fatty acids like lactic acids.

Kefir Profit #2: It Strengthens Bones

Kefir is excessive in calcium and vitamin K2, which assist to maintain bones robust and dense and defend bones towards fracturing. How? A 2018 evaluate of research noticed that vitamin K2 is vital for the formation of recent bones and the prevention of bone degradation — results that may considerably scale back the danger of fractures.

Kefir Profit #3: It Facilitates Calm

Consuming kefir as a part of a balanced food plan can contribute to diminished nervousness, suggests a analysis printed within the journal Molecular Psychiatry. The analysis concerned a examine whereby choose examine individuals (the food plan group) adopted an outlined consuming plan for 4 weeks. The food plan group ate gut-friendly meals like kefir, apples, and leeks throughout the experiment interval. In distinction, the management group didn’t drastically change their consuming habits. Researchers discovered that the food plan group skilled short-term enhancements of their stress responses, whereas the management group didn’t. One attainable motive for it is a wholesome steadiness of intestine micro organism spurring the manufacturing of feel-good hormones together with serotonin.

Cocoa Banana Blast-Off

Elements:

• 1 cup vanilla kefir
• 1 cup oat milk
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

In blender, puree all elements till easy. Pour into 2 glasses. If desired, garnish with chocolate shavings, mint sprig, and sliced almonds. Makes 2 servings.

Strawberries ’n’ Cream Dream

Elements:

• 1 cup strawberry kefir
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions:

In blender, puree all elements till easy. Pour into 2 mason jars. If desired, garnish with recent mint. Makes 2 servings.

Candy Inexperienced Goddess

Elements:

• 2 cups child spinach
• 1 cup low-fat mango kefir
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1⁄2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1 ⁄ 2 cup frozen mango
• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

In blender, puree all elements till easy. Pour into 2 glass mugs. Makes 2 servings.

This content material isn’t an alternative to skilled medical recommendation or analysis. At all times seek the advice of your doctor earlier than pursuing any remedy plan.

This text initially appeared on our sister website, First for Ladies.