Yes! Coconut water kefir has a delicious natural tang that many people enjoy on its own. Of course, any number of fruits, herbs, and spices may also be added for additional benefit and to create unique flavors. Try a little lemon and ginger or maybe a few cut up strawberries to start, then let your imagination run wild from there! Coconut kefir is one of the best probiotic foods around, and we know probiotics are the special forces of the microbial world. One in particular that is specific to kefir alone is called L actobacillus kefiri, and it helps defend against harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. This bacterial strain, along with the various others handfuls, help modulate the immune system and inhibit many predatory bacteria growth. ( 3) 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 the systemic outbreak points for allergies. ( 8) Coconut water kefir recipes are just as simple as regular milk kefir recipes. Water kefir is made from crystalline-like and salt-like grains that feed on sugar. Water kefir grains can be used to culture sugar water, juice or coconut water, while a milk kefir is made from white, fluffy grains that feed on milk lactose. Coconut kefir is both lactose-free and gluten-free. It’s simply coconut water that has been fermented with kefir grains. Similar to dairy-based kefirs, coconut kefir supplies your gut with lots of beneficial bacteria that improve your immune system, digestive system and fight infection.

Coconut kefir is an excellent way to up your daily probiotic intake and get your allergies and asthma under control. Various forms of allergies and asthma are all linked to internal inflammation and suboptimal gut health. In animal studies conducted at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology’s Natural Medicine Research Center, kefir was shown to reduce inflammatory cells disrupting the lungs and air passages, as well as reduce mucus buildup. ( 7) Tabbed as an “it” health food of the 21st century, kefir — especially coconut kefir — contains many probiotic, bioactive compounds and as many as 30 strains of good bacteria that help fight against tumors, bacteria, carcinogens and more. ( 1) Chemicalized nutrition may not have the exact same chemical structure which means it may have to be used differently or it may not be absorbed at all depending on how the body “interprets” the shape. (This is also one of the reasons why consuming GMO’s is also so harmful; the body doesn’t recognize the GMO and creates an autoimmune response to it thinking its an invader — which of course, it is.) Mass production of kefir didn’t begin until the mid 1900s in Russia, but 1.2 million tons of the fermented product was produced by the late 20th century. ( 18)

Rewards For Life

The probiotics found in coconut kefir are excellent for discouraging constipation and encouraging healthy elimination on a regular basis. The probiotics also help restore your good flora that fight against pathogens and aid against disruptive diarrhea and other gastrointestinal side effects caused by taking antibiotics. ( 5) Coconut water kefir contains only young coconut water and the residual good bacteria left over from the kefir grains. Coconuts come from the palm tree family, Arecacaeae. The coconut is actually the seed, or nut, from the coconut palm. Coconut kefir can also help fight cancer due to coconut water’s antiviral properties. Research published in 2009 identified not one but three antimicrobial peptides in green coconut water. ( 12)

Coconut milk and coconut yogurt do not hold the same nutritional profile as coconut water, which offers more nutrients and is more beneficial for hydration purposes. Interesting Facts Kefir in general has many health benefits. When you make kefir using a wonder liquid like coconut water, you subtract the lactose present in dairy kefir, but add the potent minerals and electrolytes of coconut water. Coconut kefir is a potent health food that has the ability to stay in your gut to provide internal healing and reduction of pathogens. What is kefir? It’s a delicious, tangy, probiotic drink traditionally made with kefir grains and fermented milk, but kefir can also be made with milk substitutes like nutritious coconut milk. Or it can even be made with coconut water! What Is Coconut Kefir? Coconut water kefir is one of the foods high in potassium. In fact, a serving of coconut water contains just as much potassium as four bananas. ( 14)Related: Probiotics Benefits, Foods and Supplements — a Beginner’s Guide Health Benefits 1. Immune System Booster There are various myths as to how the grains were founded, including tales that the prophet Muhammad brought the grains to the mountain tribes (they’re also called “grains of the Prophet” by some), and they were also specifically mentioned in the Old Testament as the “manna” that fed the Israelites in the desert for so many years. ( 19) How to Make Coconut water kefir may seem like a luxury due to the high cost or limited availability of coconuts in any particular region. For those who need the additional nutrition, it can be well worth the expense and far less costly than other supplements or pharmaceutical treatments. Coconut water also comes in many different forms including frozen, in tetrapaks, or fresh. We have taste tested and found that fresh coconut water tastes best fresh and frozen or tetrapak coconut water tastes better as kefir. Coconut water alone contains multiple vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that are ideal for human health. It’s especially high in potassium and also contains cytokinins, which are naturally occurring plant hormones that may help reduce the growth of cancer cells. ( 16) An awesome aspect of making coconut kefir is that you don’t lose any of the nutritional value of coconut water after fermenting it with kefir grains. Kefir has been made for generations by Asian and Central European farmers as a way to boost gut health and help strengthen the body in the form of a dense, fermented beverage. Even Marco Polo wrote about this wonder drink, believe it or not.

Your gut flora or gut microbiome is made up of a complex community of microorganisms that live in your digestive tract, and it’s directly impacted by your diet. Consuming coconut kefir on a regular basis is an excellent way to optimize the health of your personal gut microbiome, which means improved functioning and health of your digestive system.

Those wanting the benefit on a budget may dilute coconut water by half to stretch it longer. If that is the case, then use 50% of the sugar called for in the recipe. The good thing is that the kefir grains, once they get going, will continue to perpetuate themselves indefinitely. The hydration power and high electrolyte content of coconut kefir can also help combat chemotherapy’s common side effects of diarrhea, dehydration and general nutrient depletion. Leading conventional cancer treatment centers even recommend coconut water as part of management of chemo symptoms. ( 13) Coconut kefir is an even better choice than coconut water since coconut kefir can replenish the good bacteria that chemotherapy kills, replenish electrolytes and provide hydration. 5. Safe to Consume for Those with Lactose Intolerance

Fermentation applies healthy bacteria and yeast to the substrate (in this case coconut water) and acts like the first step in the digestion process by breaking down all of these elements into an easier to absorb form making them bioavailable.With coconut kefir, be careful if you take blood pressure medications. Coconut water kefir can actually lower blood pressure, which is a positive for many, but if you combine it with medication, the combined lowering could be too much. While coconut kefir is not extremely high in sugar, it does have enough that you don’t want to overdo it on a daily basis, especially if you have diabetes. Some might be wondering: Is coconut water dairy? While dairy-based kefirs contain very small amounts of lactose, for some, even small amounts of lactose are problematic. Coconut water kefir contains no dairy or lactose, making it a safe option for those who suffer from the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Fermentation is the ultimate enhancer. It makes nutrition easier to absorb thus aiding the body in repair and maintenance at all levels.