A traditional probiotic fermented milk drink, kefir has a vegan version: Water kefir is a probiotic beverage made with grains that culture sugar water, juice, or coconut water. Unlike traditional kefir, no dairy is required.
Water kefir is a unique matrix of bacteria and yeast that feed on sugar water. The yeasts break down simple sugars, turning them into ethanol and acetic acid. Acid-producing bacteria then convert the sugars into simpler sugars and lactic acid. The kefir also produces probiotics in the process.
Here are five ways water kefir promotes greater health and well-being.
1. Boosts immunity
Biotin and folate in water kefir boost your immune system. Water kefir also contains large amounts of such probiotics as lactobacillus kefiri, which help defend against harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. Coli. Kefir’s bacterial strain helps to enhance the immune system as it inhibits the growth of bad bacteria. Plus, water kefir contains kefiran, which has been shown to contain antimicrobial properties that help to fight candida, a yeast infection that can blossom into thrush.
2. Protects against cancer
The compounds found in water kefir contain anticarcinogenic properties. These help to slow the growth of early tumors. Research shows that kefir reduced breast cancer cells by 56 percent in animal studies.
3. Supports digestion
Water kefir helps to restore beneficial bacterial levels in the gut, protecting against gastrointestinal diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ulcers. This is because water kefir is loaded with probiotics, which means it also helps your digestion after a round of antibiotics. The probiotics help to restore lost flora that fight against pathogens.
4. It improves allergies
Allergies have been linked to inflammatory issues in the body. Kefir reduces inflammatory cells that disrupt lungs and air passages. 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 allergies.
5. It heals skin
When your digestion is imbalanced, it disrupts your skin, leading to acne, psoriasis, rashes, and eczema. Water kefir brings back good bacterial, restoring your digestion balance, and bringing balance to your skin.
Getting started with water kefir
Water kefir takes about three days to make, but only requires five minutes of prep time. You can flavor and infuse water kefir as you like. In summer, water kefir taste delicious infused with berries, plums, or peaches. In the fall, water kefir can be infused with pears, apples, and grapes. Water kefir is a delicious and healthy way to get your probiotics, especially if you’re vegan.
To make water kefir, you’ll need:
- 3 large mason jars
- Strainer
- Kitchen towel
- Fruit
- Water
You’ll also need to order the water kefir grains online. The water kefirs are soft and gelatinous.
To begin, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup water kefir grains
- 2 half-gallon mason jars, filled halfway with water (Water kefir grains prefer highly mineralized water; avoid using soft, filtered, carbon activated, ionized, or any altered water.)
A water kefir recipe for any season
- Mix 1/4 cup of organic cane sugar into each jar
- Mix 4 cups cane sugar, 1 cup coconut sugar, and 1 tablespoon of Himalyan sea salt
- Stir the mixture with a spoon until completely dissolved
- Add the water kefir grains and give a gentle stir
- Add a slice of lemon and one prune
- Cover the jars with a thin kitchen towel to prevent fruit flies from getting into the mixture
- Let this mixture sit out on the counter for two or three days (After two or three days, your kefir will have fermented a bit)
- In your third mason jar and place 1 1/2 cups of fresh fruit — berries, peaches, apricots, pineapple, plums, grapes, apples, or pears — into it
- Strain both jars of the fermenting kefir into the third mason jar, removing the kefir grains (Fill the jar to half an inch from the top)
- Cover the lid tightly using the metal lid and let sit for 24 hours. (You’ll notice your kefir start to bubble. The water kefir is building pressure and creating gas. You’ll have to release some of the pressure every six hours or so.)
- Once you’ve noticed that the fruit has floated to the surface, refrigerate the mixture and give it a try
Proper kefir care
You can store the kefir grains that you strained in a smaller jar, in the fridge in some sugar water. You’ll need to feed the grains once a week to keep them alive. Plan on making a jar of water kefir each week. You can only store water kefir for up to two weeks in the fridge. After that time, you’ll need to bring them back out to room temperature.
References
- “Is Water Kefir as Beneficial as Milk Kefir?,” The Healthy Home Economist, March 22, 2017.
- “The Health Benefits of Water Kefir,” Modern Alternative Health, July 25, 2013.
- “The Health Benefits of Water Kefir (and How to Make It at Home!),” DavidWolfe.com, February 27, 2016.
- “Water Kefir — The Yeasty Bacterial Elixir of Life,” Crunchy Betty, April 18, 2017.
