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Keeping Your Insides Healthy

by Nancy on March 8, 2010

Yogurt vs. Kefir

Yogurt and Kefir are dairy products. They are both very healthy for your intestinal tract but the similarity ends there. The beneficial bacteria in each product is different and therefore functions differently in your body.

Yogurt contains transient beneficial bacteria that keep the digestive system clean and provide food for the friendly bacteria that reside there.

yogurtKefir though it is not as well known as yogurt is also wonderful for your insides. Kefir can actually colonize the intestinal tract, a feat that yogurt cannot match. Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found in yogurt, Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter species, and Streptococcus species.

It also contains beneficial yeasts, such as Saccharomyces kefir and Torula kefir, which dominate, control and eliminate destructive pathogenic yeasts in the body. They do so by penetrating the mucosal lining where unhealthy yeast and bacteria reside, forming a virtual SWAT team that housecleans and strengthens the intestines. Hence, the body becomes more efficient in resisting things like E. coli and intestinal parasites.

Kefir’s active yeast and bacteria provide more nutritive value than yogurt by helping digest the foods that you eat and by keeping the colon environment clean and healthy.

Because the curd size of kefir is smaller than yogurt, it is also easier to digest, which makes it a particularly excellent, nutritious food for babies, invalids and the elderly. So enjoy your yogurt but don’t forget to enjoy some kefir too.

Eat Healthy,

Coach Nancy


  • helendutton
    Hi Nancy,
    Shop n Save on Fort Eddy Road only had Kefir Cultured Milk by Lifeway (it was in both the natural foods section and in the regular dairy). I was expecting something in a yogurt-type container. Is this it?
  • nancycarlson
    Helen,

    Lifeway kefir is sold in a plastic jug that reminds me of the old quart size glass milk containers that used to be delivered to everyone's door. Kefir is more of a drinkable style yogurt. I make mine plain from starter I buy at the health food store. That way I can sweeten it myself. My kids like it with a bit of agave syrup and vanilla extract. They call it a shake.

    I made a protein drink today with 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1 cup of plain kefir, and 1-2 drops of peppermint oil. Very yummy. You can also make smoothies with it. Anything that calls for yogurt can use kefir as a substitute.
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