Looking for a vegan kefir? Well, we have just the drink for you! Water Kefir!
This newest addition to the probiotic beverage market is giving tough competition to the oldies like milk kefir and even Kombucha!
Water kefir is a dairy-free alternative so it’s perfect for the lactose intolerant. And it is known to contain a type of carbohydrate called kefiran, which may act as a prebiotic. As prebiotics are food for probiotics so you know that drinking it is actually supporting your healthy gut bacteria.
It’s well known that a healthy gut plays an important role in having a proper immune system (which keeps diseases at bay). As well as regulating anxiety and depression. A healthy gut also decreases the chances of getting type 2 diabetes AND reduces the chances of getting obese. So not only is it a delicious drink, it actually supports your immune system and healthy gut bacteria.
Water kefir versus kombucha versus milk kefir
Milk kefir, the “original kefir” is much sourer as compared to water kefir and has a consistency similar to yogurt. But if you are lactose intolerant, milk just isn’t an option.
Unlike kombucha it doesn’t ferment for a month, it takes literally 1-2 days! And with barely 5-10 minutes of prep time, it will fit neatly into your busy schedule!
So it’s super fast to make and you don’t even have to wait for a month just for a healthy beverage. So you can just make it at home and that might be easier on your pocket too!
As you might just buy kombucha from the store because you can’t wait for a MONTH to ferment. You might not be able to control the sugar content.
Since you are making water kefir at home, you can even control the sugar content as per your own dietary requirements and needs. As it comes from a cactus so it is gluten-free too!
It’s actually a mixture of yeast and bacteria, which feeds on sugars. Sugars like white sugar, sugar cane juice, raw sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup etcetera.
Guess what?
Water kefir’s alcohol content is almost ZERO percent!
The kefir alcohol content being close to zero has some benefits too. The taste is less sour, unlike kombucha, with higher alcohol content, and you can give it to kids too. And since it is so easy to make at home, just make it sweeter for the kids and less sweet for yourself.
And here’s the cherry on the top!
Water kefir cures Candida!
Well, not really. But it sure helps!
So candida is a family of yeast that lives in our bodies. In small amounts it’s harmless.
But if it starts growing uncontrollably it can cause A LOT of problems.
Problems like:
- White bumpy patches inside your mouth (OUCH! )
- Feeling tired for no reason
- Sinus infection
- Digestion problems
- Frequent Urinary tract infections
- Joint pain
- Fungal infections
Candida Infection is called candidiasis and since it’s the most common cause of fungal infections in humans, it’s serious business.
So let’s figure out how people get Candida and how we can protect ourselves against it using Water kefir.
Candida overgrowth is caused by:
- High intake of sugar and refined carbs
- Too much alcohol
- Diabetes
- Taking antibiotics
- A weakened immune system
- Oral contraceptives
- Diabetes
- High-stress levels
So how do we bring down our sugar intake? Just replace your soft drinks and caffeine-laden coffee with Water kefir. With water kefir alcohol content is minimal, you won’t even get addicted to it. And since it tastes less sour as compared to milk kefir and you don’t need to kill the taste of the alcohol you’ll need to use less sugar. 🙂
If you are taking antibiotics, you probably have a weakened immune system. This means your body’s natural defense system, the probiotics aren’t strong enough to fight diseases themselves.
Guess how our old friend Water kefir comes in handy?
Remember how it has kefiran, the carbohydrate? When that acts as a prebiotic it supports your body’s natural defense system to kill all those diseases. So it gives you a stronger immune system and keeps those pesky diseases (and antibiotics! ) at bay.
Remember the old saying “Prevention is better than cure”, ha exactly why we recommend preventing Candida or preventing getting it again when you are recovering by using water kefir. Its kefir alcohol content is zero anyways and since you can make it at home in a day, it’s a great way to cut out carbonated drinks and protect yourself and your loved ones against candida.
So how do you make water kefir at home?
Take ½ ounce of sugar into a jar and add 1 ounce of hot water( you can use cups instead of an ounce if that’s easier). And swirl till the sugar dissolves.
Add 3 ounces of water at room temperature i.e. 68° to 85°F
Add the water kefir grains and cover the container. Place this mixture in a warm place for 1-2 days.
Now just strain the grains and enjoy your low-alcohol-content water kefir!
You can just prepare another batch by repeating steps 1 through 4. And using the grains you strained from the previous batch.
Pro tips and ways to add more of a PUNCH to you water kefir:
You can even feed the grains some molasses, maple syrup or brown sugar!
But this will make the grains colored and give the beverage a similar taste to the sweetener you used. If you need to revert back to the white crystals, just use white sugar in your next batch of water kefir and within no time the crystals/grains will revert back to being white.
You can even add fruits to the mixture! Feeling like having your water kefir with strawberries? Just add it to the bix and let it brew with the mixture you already made for at least a day and you will love the results!
Need to store the grains for later use? Just put them in the oven at 100°F for a couple of minutes, coat them with powdered sugar and throw them in the fridge for up to 2 months (How long you can keep these candida fighting, low-alcohol-content kefir grains depends on the quality of the grains and how well you fed them). When you take them out just feed them the sugars(steps 1 and 2) of your choice every 24 hours and they will bounce back and be back to producing your favorite water kefir in no time!
For a new experience, just use coconut water instead of normal water and see if you like the taste!
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options.
