Does kefir strengthen or weaken? What fermented milk products weaken the intestines? How long does daily kefir weaken?
![Does kefir strengthen or weaken? What fermented milk products weaken the intestines? How long does daily kefir weaken?](https://i2.wp.com/ozdravin.ru/uploads/styles/article_image/public/articles/2016/10/eda-pered-snom.jpg)
Irregular bowel movements can be a consequence of intestinal pathologies, injuries, neuroses, and diseases of other organs. May be a side effect of taking various medications. May develop due to an inactive lifestyle. But, in the vast majority of cases, everything is much simpler. And those who have it are to blame for the problem. The reason is poor nutrition! And in order to gain vigor and good health, it is not at all necessary to undergo a thorough examination and long treatment. You just need to replace the contents of your refrigerator, and then use it at the right time and in the right proportions.
Diet mistakes that lead to constipation:
- Insufficient volume of chyme (food bolus). Only chyme of significant volume gives the intestines a signal to start peristalsis (a wave of contractions). The ideal way to create such chyme is to consume food containing plant fibers that do not dry out when they remain in the stomach. Such food has a large volume with low calorie content;
- Lack of water in the intestines. To start intestinal peristalsis, a significant amount of water must accumulate in it. This is ensured by the presence of hyperosmotic substances in the food consumed, for example plant sugars, which are capable of attracting large volumes of liquid;
- Consumption of high-calorie, low-volume foods. The catch is that when we eat such food, we visually do not notice the stretching of the abdomen, and there is no feeling of fullness in the stomach. But after digestion, such food can linger in the intestines for a very long time without causing peristalsis;
- Lack of fiber in food. Fiber, which is not absorbed by the body, passes through the intestines like a “battering ram”, loosening the accumulated masses and carrying them along with it;
- Consumption of foods that lead to intestinal slagging;
- Excess fat, sugar, starch, abundant consumption of baked goods, fried and smoked foods lead to rotting processes in the intestines. Fecal stones form, creating “plugs” and injuring the mucous membrane;
- Lack of lactic acid bacteria in the food consumed. The lack of these bacteria leads to disruption of the intestinal microflora, insufficient absorption of nutrients by its walls, and rotting processes develop.
- Lack of potassium and magnesium in the food consumed. Potassium salts are extremely important for contraction of intestinal muscles, and magnesium salts are essential for the conduction of nerve impulses.
Errors in diet leading to constipation:
- Large meals with long breaks. Eating 3 meals a day is only useful for saving time. But for normal functioning of the intestines, and the body as a whole, 6 meals a day in small portions is ideal.
- A hearty breakfast in bed. When you wake up, you first need to drink about 300 milliliters of water at room temperature, move around and only after 20-30 minutes start breakfast.
- Eat a large meal before bed. A hearty dinner is not contraindicated. On the contrary, during the night the body manages to process all slowly digested food. But from the moment of such dinner until bedtime, at least 2 hours should pass.
- Drink water only when you are “thirsty.” The body does not always signal a lack of water by feeling thirsty. Weakness and a feeling of hunger, even when you have eaten enough, can also be symptoms of a lack of water. You need to drink at least one and a half liters of clean water per day, distributing this amount evenly throughout the day.
Diet to avoid constipation
Selecting the right nutrition to stabilize the intestines, which meets the above requirements, is actually very simple. And the main criteria for one hundred percent success are the consistency of the correct diet and its combination with a sufficient amount of physical activity.
Foods and dishes whose consumption strengthens the intestines
The food listed below is in no way contraindicated, it just should not become basic, as it significantly reduces intestinal motility:
- Sweet baked goods, including fresh white bread;
- Porridge (from rice, semolina and pearl barley), mashed potatoes;
- Meat and eggs in large quantities, especially fried ones;
- Butter, creams, milk chocolate;
- Puréed vegetable soups, cream soups, puree soups;
- Kissels based on potato starch, rice broth;
- Fruits and berries: pears, quince, chokeberry, bird cherry;
- Tea, coffee, cocoa;
- Red wine.
Lovers of the listed products do not have to categorically give up their favorite food. In the right combinations and properly prepared, they no longer strengthen, but become neutral. For example, pears and rice have many beneficial properties, and in moderation they will not cause negative consequences. It is recommended to always eat rice with fresh vegetable salads, and take unpolished rice. When eating pears, there is one trick: pears of weak and normal ripeness are strengthened, but very ripe pears can even give the opposite effect. You need to take into account the nuances.
Foods and dishes that relax the intestines
- Vegetable oils: sunflower, olive, corn, flaxseed, coconut;
- Fermented milk products: kefir, yogurt, whey, yogurt;
- Porridge (buckwheat, barley, oatmeal);
- Fish and seafood;
- Dried fruits;
- Bran and bran bread;
- Raw vegetables: cabbage (including sauerkraut), radishes, turnips, radishes, beets, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions;
- Fruits and berries: watermelons, melons, apples, plums, apricots, persimmons, grapes, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, wild berries;
- Mineral water, juices and fruit compotes, kvass, white wine.
First aid for constipation
The foods and dishes mentioned below will help quickly restore intestinal function in case of constipation, and you should not abuse them in large quantities during normal intestinal function, so that you do not then have to urgently drink a decoction of rice, eating it with pears, which strengthen the intestines.
Seven dishes - catalysts that relax the intestines
- Pure vegetable oil. The product should be consumed on an empty stomach in a volume of 1-2 tablespoons;
- Whole grain oatmeal with plenty of flaxseed oil for breakfast;
- Rhubarb compote. It is best to cook in a water bath for 20 minutes. Sweeten with honey.
- Salad of raw cabbage, herbs and apples with vegetable oil.
- Unfiltered black coffee for breakfast.
- Beet salad with soaked prunes, dressed with fresh yogurt for dinner.
- 1/2 kg of ripe plums on an empty stomach.
Improving intestinal function by eating the right foods is not a cure, it is simply a transition from a poor diet to a healthy one. This process does not require any restrictions on the amount of food, nor financial costs, nor psychological efforts. Just a little organization and consistency. And the results obtained are enormous: vigor, energy, ability to work, calm nerves and good mood!
Ask anyone you meet if kefir is healthy, and he will answer in the affirmative. The opinion that kefir is capable of forming healthy intestinal microflora is firmly ingrained in our minds. After all, everyone knows that the human digestive organs accumulate a huge amount of bacteria in the process of life. It is clear that not all of them are useful, and most even cause many diseases and stimulate the aging of the body.
Kefir includes an army of beneficial bacteria, vitamins and amino acids, thanks to which not only the intestinal microflora is healed, but also the immune system is strengthened, sleep and the state of the nervous system are stabilized. And yet, the prevailing opinion that kefir can cure all diseases and that it is useful for absolutely everyone is greatly exaggerated. Let's take a look at some important facts about kefir.
Firstly, kefir is a poor mental stimulant. Any milk-containing product, including kefir, relieves stress and has a relaxing effect on the nervous system. Therefore, in critical moments, when maximum concentration of attention is required, kefir is not your help.
Secondly, kefir is a rather sour product. Therefore, its consumption is not recommended at all for people suffering from high acidity.
Thirdly, kefir can cause people to be allergic to milk-containing products. To solve this problem, biokefir is recommended for use.
You should not drink cold or warm kefir. The product should be at room temperature and should be drunk in small sips.
Fourthly, the principle that the more kefir, the more health, is not true. As with the consumption of any product that is beneficial to the body, standards are important. In the case of kefir, they are 200-400 g per day.
Fifthly, if you do, then remember that the milk must be boiled for this. Otherwise, the risk of getting salmonellosis is too high.
Bonus. How to properly prepare kefir at home.
If you have an excess of skim or pasteurized milk at home, do not rush to throw it away and run to the store for fresh kefir. This is Sisyphean work! Better buy a kefir starter! By the way, instead of purchased sourdough, you can use leftover kefir, if you have one at home. For 1 liter of milk you will need 6-8 teaspoons of starter. Pour the milk into an aluminum pan and heat. Remove from heat as soon as foam begins to rise and place in a cool place. When the milk has cooled, pour it into a glass jar, add the starter, close the lid and leave in a warm place for a day. Then place the fermented milk in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Before use, you can add salt and pepper to the resulting homemade kefir to taste.
Sixth, remember that as kefir matures, carbon dioxide and alcohol accumulate in it. Therefore, after consuming this fermented milk product, you should not drive for several hours.
Seventh, always pay attention to the strength of kefir. Weak one-day kefir has a laxative effect on the intestines. And the stronger the kefir, the stronger it produces digestive juices in the stomach. That is why strong three-day kefir is not recommended for those suffering from ulcers, gastritis or pancreatitis.
Eighth, if you use kefir to lose weight, then choose a product with minimal fat content (1-1.5%). Fat kefir is indicated for people suffering from edema due to kidney disease.
Ninth, pay attention to the composition and appearance on supermarket shelves. Recently, a lot of so-called “dead” kefir has been offered for sale. It is prepared on the basis of skim milk, kefir powder, raising agents, emulsifiers, preservatives, stabilizers. Don’t even doubt that the taste of the proposed drink will be very similar to real kefir, but, of course, it will not bring any benefits to the body. The fact that the kefir you are being offered is not live will be indicated by its heterogeneous consistency and the presence of lumps. Be sure to pay attention to the product packaging and its name. Real kefir cannot be called “kefir” or “kefir drink.” All of the options listed are just a marketing ploy to “foist” you with a fake powder under the guise of kefir.
In addition, whenever possible, always choose kefir in glass containers, since the product has the longest shelf life in such packaging, and its consistency, as they say, is obvious.
Tenth, classic real kefir can only contain whole or skim milk and kefir grains. If on the packaging, in addition to these ingredients, others are indicated (for example, a thickener of plant origin), then this already signals a distortion in the recipe for its preparation and may indicate that milk fat has been removed from the milk and artificial enrichment has been made with vegetable (, fish oil, fat sea animals)
So, as we see, kefir is not such a universally useful product. But, taking into account the above facts, you will provide an invaluable service to your body!
(Photo: mashe, vgstudio, Irina Magrelo, shutterstock.com)
Why does fresh kefir weaken, and old kefir strengthens?
Whether it weakens or strengthens depends on the maturity of kefir. Kefir comes in three types of freshness. Fresh one-day has a slight laxative effect on the intestines, because. it contains the least amount of germs and alcohol. Two-day-old kefir does not affect our body in any way, but three-day-old kefir strengthens the freshness, because it contains the largest number of enzymes and microorganisms.
Kefir is called a fermented milk product for a reason. it is obtained by fermentation, and fermentation in kefir is of two types - lactic acid and alcoholic. That is, the older the kefir, and kefir that is already three days old is considered old, the stronger the fermentation processes have gone through in it and the more pronounced its fixing properties. In contrast to one-day young kefir, three-day kefir contains more microflora that is beneficial for the intestines and a higher alcohol content, which together gives the consolidation effect. It is believed that only fresh, only prepared kefir has a laxative effect; the very next day it will be neutral in this regard. Well, store-bought kefirs that use preservatives do not have such properties at all.
Indeed, it is true that young one-day-old kefir has a slight laxative effect on the body, while three-day-old kefir is a little stronger. This all has a fairly simple explanation: young kefir simply contains less microflora and alcohol.
I don’t know, kefir has a laxative effect on me, even if I drink it on the first day or on the third, the result is usually the same.
Well, no matter how we are all different and dairy products affect everyone differently, if you notice such a pattern, it means that kefir affects you exactly the same way.
So these are only the characteristics of the individual organism and nothing more.
Basically, kefir weakens.
Yes, there is no difference, kefir cannot be strengthened at all - it is not rice. Kefir is now less than 50% on the naturalness scale, it’s all made from powdered milk, not like it used to be, and there’s not much use from it. And if you make kefir from natural milk, it has a good effect on the intestines, and it doesn’t matter how many days it is - two, five or seven.
It's all about the number of lactic acid bacteria. In small quantities they encourage the stomach and intestines to work for emptying, and in large quantities - vice versa. So be careful when you give a child with a problematic gastrointestinal tract the day before yesterday kefir, we had constipation right up to the crack in the butt ((healed with panthenol later((
Kefir is still a fermented milk product and therefore has a weakening effect on the stomach, but it should be noted that different people have different reactions to the same product, so it cannot be said that for everyone fresh kefir weakens and old kefir strengthens, but in most cases this is exactly the case.
After prolonged fermentation, kefir acts on the gastrointestinal tract of the body, as some claim, with a fixing effect.
Old kefir contains more microflora and alcohol, which contributes to fixation.
Young kefir contains less alcohol and microflora, and therefore you can easily get diarrhea from it.
I know from myself that neither fresh nor old kefir fixes anything anywhere :)
Therefore, I use this dairy product with caution.
Kefir has three degrees of maturity - this is one-day kefir which is called weak, this is two-day kefir which is called medium and this is three-day kefir which is called strong. The weakness and strength of kefir is determined by the content of carbon dioxide and alcohol in kefir, depending on its degree of maturation. Weak kefir has a laxative effect, while strong kefir has a strengthening effect.
Judging by our experience, kefir strengthens if it is older than two days, and fresh did not particularly weaken us. It affects our body either in no way or in a strengthening way. But each person has an individual reaction to kefir and milk.
Therefore, those prone to constipation should try to either buy the freshest kefir, or otherwise maintain normal stools. We had to stop kefir altogether, since the problem with constipation became very acute, the child on his own (without suppositories or without a laxative) stopped pooping altogether. After stopping kefir, I put my daughter on a diet of cabbage, beets and fruits, and that’s the only way she pooped, and then it works every other day. There is an option to make homemade kefir, but it doesn’t always work out and it has the same properties.
Kefir is an acidic product, therefore, when it enters the intestines, it should weaken. Whole milk, on the contrary, should strengthen. Probably, different people have different reactions to kefir, for example, I don’t react to it at all, or the reaction is so insignificant that it’s simply unnoticeable.
Look at the production date: fresh kefir weakens, and those older than 3 days strengthen; although this is how it should be, but in the end it turns out that everyone’s body reacts differently.
Fresh kefir, i.e. which is poured into a cup from just an open package weakens. But kefir, which will stay strong even in the refrigerator for a day or more.
Kefir can both weaken and contribute to constipation, it all depends on its maturity. But let me clarify right away that we are not talking about store-bought kefir, which is by and large neutral in this regard, and no matter how long it sits in the refrigerator, nothing will change, unless it completely turns sour. Fresh kefir without preservatives, for example homemade, has a laxative effect. Nowadays, many people make kefir themselves, so there’s nothing complicated about it. It is believed that if kefir has fermented for a day, then the microflora in it has not yet developed enough, and the percentage of alcohol is minimal and thus it has a laxative effect. However, already on the third day of fermentation the effect changes to the opposite.
Kefir definitely weakens. It just affects each body differently; for some, half a glass is enough, while for others it can take a liter in order to get the desired result. There will be no harm to the child, but I would not recommend fresh kefir. In order to get results in the morning, you need to drink kefir at night.
I would not give kefir to your child in your case. It is better to give children's yogurt with bifidobacteria. I know firsthand what kind of constipation can happen from kefir, believe me. I had to undergo surgery on my intestines and the doctor strongly recommended drinking kefir. But after drinking kefir 2 times a day for a week, I began to suffer with stool. Then, after reading reviews about kefir on the Internet, I started drinking yogurt with bifidobacteria, bifacil and bifidok, everything worked out, thank God!
Fresh kefir produced today will weaken, but kefir that has been produced for several days will, on the contrary, strengthen.
However, kefir affects each body slightly differently. For example, my friends give their child kefir with a banana if he gets constipated, but for us, on the contrary, it causes constipation itself, so I never give a banana with kefir at the same time.
Kefir does not have any significant effect on me, however. as the doctor told me, you need to drink a glass of kefir before bed to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Which is exactly what I'm trying to do.
Naturally, the kefir must be fresh, otherwise there may be severe poisoning, and then it will definitely weaken.
Kefir is a very healthy dairy product, probably it can safely be called the healthiest of all milks.
Kefir affects each person differently, so I can answer for myself, kefir weakens me.
So if you experience problems in this regard, you should drink a glass of kefir and the body’s functioning will immediately improve.
Although I know that it strengthens some people on the contrary.
Kefir- a unique drink. And in addition to all the usefulness, it is also specific in that it is like Trufaldino: both yours and ours. That is, kefir can be a drink that both strengthens and weakens. But, not at the same time, of course, but depending on what it is used for.
The whole secret of the duality of kefir is that you need to know how strong the kefir is and how fresh it is:
Therefore, in order not to get into trouble, when buying kefir In the store you need to be careful about the following:
In regards to that Should I give my child kefir or not?, then you need to understand that there are a number of restrictions: this includes age and the portability of the product itself. More details here.
Health to the baby and successful experiments with kefir.
Young kefir no older than two days is slightly laxative, it is not a laxative, it just helps the stool pass out much easier, so the question of laxation is a moot point here. And kefir older than three days often strengthens the intestines and can even lead to constipation if you use such kefir daily. Even food prepared with such kefir, such as pancakes and pancakes, will strengthen the intestines, so people with problems with bowel movements are highly undesirable to use older kefir.
Consumption of fermented milk products helps normalize intestinal function. This article will help you understand whether kefir strengthens or weakens stool, as well as how to take it correctly.
Benefits and effects on the intestines
Fermented milk drinks are healthy products for both adults and children. These drinks are consumed not only by people who dream of losing weight, but also by those who simply want to improve their health. The benefits of kefir for the human body are enormous. So, this drink helps improve the functioning of the entire body as a whole.
Kefir, especially fresh, contains active components that can improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. This effect helps restore intestinal contractile function. It is worth noting that bowel movements become more frequent rather slowly. Only, as a rule, people suffering from chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract may experience adverse symptoms after consuming even a glass of fresh kefir.
High-quality kefir is a food product that is rich in specific bacteria. They enter the intestines during the digestive process and help normalize its functioning. Good microbes also contribute to changes in the microflora of the large intestine. The more beneficial microorganisms live on the walls of the large intestine, the better digestion occurs.
Beneficial microorganisms contained in fresh kefir include bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. These microbes are very important not only for the digestive system. Thus, they are able to have a beneficial effect on immunity parameters.
Therapists note that people who regularly consume kefir and other fermented milk products have a significantly reduced risk of developing dangerous infectious diseases.
The freshness of kefir is important. So, fresh, just prepared fermented milk products contain more components that weaken. It is no coincidence that people suffering from chronic constipation are recommended to drink fresh fermented milk drinks. The longer kefir is stored, the more likely it is that it will not have a strong effect on the contractile function of the intestines. This drink usually gives you a boost.
Kefir has a special chemical composition. It contains proteins - important components necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Increasingly, manufacturers of fermented milk products are trying to enrich their products with additional proteins. Such products not only provide long-term satiety, but also promote moderate weight loss.
Kefir is a source of useful components that can improve the functioning of all internal organs. So, it contains:
- choline;
- beta-carotene;
- vitamin complex of group B and PP;
- mineral compounds such as strontium, sodium, manganese, fluorine, chromium, copper.
Fresh fermented milk products are often included in the menu of long-lived people in different countries. They note that after drinking such drinks they feel energized and feel better. Systematic consumption of kefir not only helps improve health, but also helps maintain performance for many years. It is no coincidence that supporters of natural treatment note that kefir contains substances that have some rejuvenating effect.
Possible harm and contraindications
Kefir is definitely a healthy drink. However, in some cases, its use can contribute to the development of extremely unfavorable symptoms. As a rule, such negative clinical signs appear when:
- consumption of drinks by people who have contraindications to taking them;
- with excessive consumption of drinks.
People suffering from certain diseases of the digestive system should avoid drinking kefir. So, You should not drink it if you have gastritis, accompanied by high secretion of gastric juice.
People suffering from this pathology, even after drinking just one glass of kefir, may feel a burning sensation behind the sternum, pain in the upper abdomen and other dyspeptic symptoms
Kefir is also contraindicated for people with unhealed stomach or duodenal ulcers. Kefir contains components that can damage the delicate mucous membrane of the digestive organs, which can contribute to the development of complications of this pathology. If gastritis or enteritis worsens, kefir should also be excluded from the diet.
You should not consume fresh fermented milk drinks during acute food poisoning. At this time the diet is quite strict. During the entire acute period of this pathology, drinks that can weaken you must be excluded from the menu. It is extremely dangerous to drink fresh kefir if you have food poisoning, which is accompanied by frequent diarrhea. You can include fermented milk products in case of food poisoning only after your stool has been restored and your health has improved.
Chronic colitis and Crohn's disease are pathologies that may be accompanied by the development of a tendency to increase bowel movements. People suffering from these diseases should not include fermented milk drinks, especially fresh ones, in their diet. Otherwise, severe gas formation, pain below the navel, or diarrhea may occur. Before including such fermented milk products in their diet, people suffering from these diseases should definitely consult a gastroenterologist.
Another contraindication for taking kefir is intolerance to any dairy products. There are many people who are unable to digest dairy products. To ensure that after consuming a fermented milk product, such a person, who has individual characteristics of the functioning of the digestive system, does not experience negative symptoms, doctors recommend that they do not include provoking foods in their diet.
Which kefir to choose and which one is better to refuse?
The quality of the fermented milk drink is important. In order to reduce the likelihood of developing adverse symptoms, you need to choose only high-quality products. It is important to monitor their expiration date. If it is nearing its end, then it is not worth buying them.
Before purchasing a fermented milk product, be sure to carefully inspect the packaging. So, if the packaging is damaged, then it is better not to buy such a product. If the integrity of the packaging is damaged, dangerous microbes can enter the fermented milk product, which are likely to cause food poisoning. The package with kefir should not be swollen.
The taste of a quality drink should be pleasant. There should be no foreign taste in it. So, if kefir is bitter or has an unpleasant odor, then you should not drink it. Spoiled kefir may contain substances that contribute to the development of toxic infection.
For people suffering from constipation, it is better to give their preference to fresh kefir. This fermented milk product contains more active ingredients that weaken. You should drink this kefir daily to restore intestinal contractile function. You can drink the drink even in the afternoon or before bed.
One-day kefir also contains many beneficial bifidobacteria, which help improve the functioning of the large intestine. “Old” kefir, which has been stored for a long time, contains virtually no beneficial microorganisms, which means it practically does not contribute to the frequency of bowel movements. This drink is more suitable for people whose bowel movements are a little frequent.
What can I take with it for greater effect?
In order to achieve better results, various additives can be included in kefir. Such additional components will only enhance the effect of the active substances contained in kefir. For example, for people who suffer from persistent constipation, a drink made from aromatic prunes and fresh kefir will help normalize stool.
Vegetable oils
You can improve intestinal function by adding various oil products to fermented milk drinks. Thus, adding olive or flaxseed oil helps normalize the functioning of the large intestine, which leads to increased bowel movements. These products can be replaced with regular sunflower oil if desired.
Bran
The fiber contained in this product helps accelerate intestinal motor function. Adding bran to kefir makes this drink more high in calories. After consuming such a healthy mixture, a person feels full and digestion is normalized. Bran with kefir is an excellent option for a hearty snack or even a light dinner.
Fruits and dried fruits
Many people don't drink kefir because they simply don't like the taste. You can improve the taste of a healthy drink by adding various dried fruits, fresh berries or fruits to it. For example, you can add finely chopped dried apricots, dried plums or a handful of raisins to a glass of kefir.
If desired, you can also prepare an analogue of store-bought yogurt. To do this, add a little water, fresh berries or your favorite fruit to a glass of kefir. After this, all the ingredients need to be thoroughly mixed - and a delicious, healthy dessert is ready.
Soda
You can also cope with constipation with the help of a good drink made from kefir and regular soda. To prepare it, add 1/3 teaspoon of soda to 250 ml of fermented milk drink. The ingredients must be mixed well. You should drink this drink until the desired result is achieved, one glass a day.
Buckwheat
Kefir can be used not only for making healthy drinks. So, this fermented milk drink is great for making breakfast. To prepare one of them you will need 80 grams of washed buckwheat. The specified amount of cereal should be poured into a glass of kefir and left overnight to infuse. The next morning breakfast will be ready.
Opinions of doctors and reviews of those who used the product
Fresh kefir is a good natural laxative. Regular consumption of this drink helps normalize stool. This is evidenced by the huge number of reviews from people who regularly drink this fermented milk drink.
Doctors also note that fresh kefir is good for people suffering from constipation. Fermented milk drinks that have been stored for a long time are usually frozen. Experts recommend that people suffering from stool disorders remember this particular effect on the body.
To learn about the benefits of kefir and whether you can drink it at night, watch the following video.