Did you ever think there would be a beverage strong enough to fight cancer cells? I didn’t think so till I discovered water kefir. There are lots of amazing things to learn about this health-friendly beverage.
Water kefir is one fizzy flavoured drink that is not just an abode of all the probiotics your body needs; it can amp up your immunity, work to slow down the growth of cancer cells, and even improve your overall health.
If you are thinking of how and where you can get it, you don’t have to bother because this article will not only tell you why your body deserves some of this tasty liquid, it’ll teach you how to do it yourself at home.
So what is water kefir?
Water kefir is a natural, fermented, carbonated drink that made from the water kefir grains. Water kefir originated as late as the 1800 and is known by a variety of names including California bees, tibicos, Japanese water crystals, and California bees.
A lot of people are now familiar with the regular kefir which is produced from sheep, goat, or cow milk. Water kefir is generated from a combination of water, sugar, and kefir grains.
When the ingredients have been combined, the mixture is usually left to ferment for a day or two; this leads to the production of a probiotic beverage that is rich in beneficial bacteria called probiotics.
This drink is not just a tasty one that you consume only when you want something to drink; you can make it a part of your diet as it is a great way to treat your body to some good nutrition.
Rich in probiotics
One major reason why you should try water kefir and continue to consume it is its high probiotic content.
The healthy bacteria that are found in your gut are called probiotics, and they have a very important role to play in keeping you strong and healthy. From preventing the formation of cancer cells to boosting the functions of your immune system, the importance of probiotics can never be overemphasised.
The most popular source of probiotics in today’s world is yoghurt, but kefir is a better option because it provides a diverse range of probiotics and even yeast. Some of the good bacteria that you can find in kefir include Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, and Lactococcus.
Water kefir may help fight off cancer cells
Even though the research currently available is restricted to test-tube studies, certain research has suggested that water kefir may help to decrease the growth of some types of cancer cells.
Some of the cancer cells whose growth may be hindered by water kefir include colon cancer, blood cancer, and even breast cancer. Because of how rich water kefir is in probiotics, it could potentially help to boost immune functions which will ultimately aid the prevention of cancer.
This doesn’t negate the fact that more research is needed to prove the effectiveness of water kefir on the prevention and growth of cancer cells in humans.
Water kefir can boost your immune function
Adding a glass of water kefir to this diet every day can give this immune system a great boost because of the number of beneficial bacteria it contains. Particular strains of probiotics could help reduce your risk of getting a recurrence of urinary tract infection, respiratory infection and intestinal infections.
Kefir has also been discovered to help suppress inflammatory responses that are triggered by health problems like asthma in some animal studies.
Another small study that was carried out for six weeks with 18 participants showed that daily consumption of kefir was capable of citrulline inflammations and also optimising the levels of immune cells in the human body.
Water kefir is vegan and dairy-free
The traditional kefir that a lot of people are used to is produced by combining cow or goat milk with kefir grains to make a thick beverage that is rich in probiotics.
However, one reason why water kefir might be a better option is that there are individuals who may be allergic to dairy products, or choose to stay away from anything with milk for medical reasons, personal reasons, or even dietary restrictions.
Especially if you are one of those who follow a vegan or dairy-free diet and still wants a way to boost your gut health and probiotic consumption without consuming animal products, water kefir is the way to go.
Are there any side effects?
For a lot of people, water kefir is not going to cause any form of allergic reaction. However, just like many other foods that are rich in probiotics, the possible side effects are bloating, cramps, nausea, and constipation.
With continuous consumption of water kefir, the listed side effects tend to reduce. Nevertheless, it is important that you check with your doctor before consuming water kefir if you are dealing with any medical condition that weakens the immune system (like AIDS).
Though it is often said that the consumption of probiotics is healthy for people with such conditions, there are cases where it can lead to a high risk of infection.
Water kefir is easy to make
If you are wondering how water kefir tastes, I’d have though know that it is nicely flavoured and friendly to the taste buds. Which means you can easily take advantage of the lovely taste and improve your health with its plenty benefits while you do so.
Various factors can lead to a difference in the taste, but generally, it is slightly sweet and has a flat aftertaste.
To make water kefir at home, the ingredients you need are sugar, 1/2 cup (118 ml) of hot water, water kefir grains, and another cups (710 ml) of room-temperature water. Combine 1/4 cups of sugar with 1/2 cup of hot water and stir till the sugar dissolves completely.
Once the sugar dissolves nicely, add the cups (710 ml) of room-temperature with your water kefir grains to the first mixture.
Cover the container tightly and place in a warm area with a temperature of around 20–30°C then leave for around 24/48 hours. You can filter out the seeds afterwards and add them to another batch or just consume as it is. If you like to experiment with flavours, you can do that too.
