If you are a consumer of kefir you are probably wondering “how much kefir should I drink”? Well, it’s not that simple. First, let’s talk about kefir in general. Kefir has a number of health benefits for our body. These are just a few; strengthening the immune system, remove toxins from the body, ensuring that vital body organs work well, asthma regulation and even reducing cholesterol in the body.
In order to acquire all of these benefits, you need to know how much kefir you need to actually drink during the day. Kefir can be part of the diet in many ways. Besides being used as a healthy refreshing drink, it is also used for baking, cooking and also as a substitute for buttermilk. Taking too much kefir can also lead to the reversal of its positive effects since it can bring an imbalance to the digestive system. This article will give some recommendations on how much milk kefir should be taken in normal conditions and also for healing purposes.
Table of Contents
How Much Kefir Should I Drink?
There are various recommendations on how milk kefir needs to be taken:
- Normal dosage of milk kefir is taking one glass on an empty stomach in the morning or before eating any meal. This is advised for strengthening the immune system.
- While for curing purposes, you can take a higher dosage of 1 liter per day but this depends on the type of disease.
- Individuals who cannot tolerate lactose, they can take traditionally made Kefir since it is lactose-free. Kefir is fermented therefore it contains alcohol but the alcohol levels are not critical.
- Pregnant women should take it on a daily basis. It contains folic acid that’s responsible for cell division. They should take it but with doctors’ advice because it may cause negative effects if the wrong dosage is taken.
- In order to obtain all the benefits of the drink, it is advisable to take it regularly. Taking one liter every day or even every two days can also be effective. One can also take up to 1.5 liters in one day dividing it into a number of times during the day.
First-Time Users of Kefir
For first time users of kefir, the first days of intake may lead to increased activity in the stomach. It is possible to have a stool that is in a liquid state and also high production of gas release through the day. In body areas such as the kidney and the liver, unfriendly sensations could be felt. This is because kefir contains living bacteria that the body is not used to. These effects are normal and taking kefir should not be interrupted, since the effects will stop after ten to twelve days and the body conditions will improve. After the body gets used to drinking kefir, then it’s advisable to take about 0.25 liters while avoiding alcoholic beverages and fatty foods.
Take Kefir with Caution
Kefir should be taken with caution when dealing with some disease. Taking it continuously in large quantities for about three days can cause severe effects in individuals with gastritis, duodenal ulcers, and pancreatitis. Recommended daily dose of intake is 0.5 to 0.8 liters in a day. This is divided four times throughout the day and taken before the main meal. For children, it is advised not to exceed 0.5 liters in a day. Taking Kefir continuously for three weeks to three months cures most of the diseases after which a one month break can be taken and after that, the treatment can be repeated again.
Kefir Dose for Curing Diseases
-
Dysbiosis
When using kefir in dealing with dysbiosis, it’s recommended to take 0.25 liters per day for a period of one year. In this period kefir is taken one to two times before meals either ninety minutes before sleeping or thirty minutes before taking meals. A break of ten days should be taken after continuous intake for 20 days.
-
Stomach Ulcers
With stomach ulcers, it is recommended to take 125ml of white cabbage together with a half tablespoon of honey mixed with a glass of water before eating and after that taking 125 ml of kefir after eating.
-
Liver Disease
With the liver disease, it is recommended to take 125ml of fresh cucumber juice before any meal and later take 125 ml of kefir before going to sleep. Jaundice is cured by taking a daily dosage of one liter of fresh kefir on a daily basis just before bedtime for 3-4 weeks.
-
Body Fitness
For general body fitness taking ½ liter a day will do but try to take it slowly in sips.
-
Sleep and Appetite Problems
Taking ¼ liter every meal can eliminate loss of sleep and loss of appetite.
-
Eczema and Rashes
For eczema and rashes, taking up to 2 liters in a day for severe conditions and 1 liter for normal conditions is recommended. The affected skin can be rubbed with milk kefir once every day. It is more effective if the kefir is left to dry on the skin overnight then washed in the morning.
-
Blood Pressure Disorder
Taking kefir on a regular basis harmonizes blood pressure disorder. Daily taking ½ liter raises low blood pressure and also lowers high blood pressure. In a case where blood pressure is really high, you need to take kefir 1 liter a day for 3 months. For anemia, taking 1 liter per day or 2 liters for two months is recommended.
-
Constipation
Kefir will cure constipation when taken one liter per day.
-
Infections and Kidney Problems
It deals with all kinds of infections and cures kidney problems. Dosage of a 0.5 liters per day is advised.
-
Asthma
The drink also deals with asthma when taken 1 liter daily, one will sleep without difficulty and after taking it for a while the person will be cured.
-
Neurological disorders
Drinking 0.8 liters of kefir daily with meals heals nervous disorders. Insomnia will disappear, restores appetite and heals depression.
Homemade Kefir is Different From Industrial Made Kefir
It is important to note that homemade kefir is different from industrially made milk kefir. This is mainly because homemade kefir contains larger numbers of bacterial strains. For individuals with lactose intolerances, they should take caution when taking kefir because not every kefir is made from lactose-free milk.
For those who can slightly tolerate lactose, they are free to consume kefir. Histamine intolerant people cannot tolerate fermented foods. Because of this, it’s recommended that they take small amounts of kefir. In case of any serious effects, they should stop taking kefir.
Kefir has many different health benefits for our bodies this is why it should be taken on a daily basis. It is important to note that the healing effect of kefir is not evident immediately. These effects can be seen after consuming it on a regular basis. Mostly the healing effect is recognized after two to three months. Individuals who take it to cure diseases, for the first time should take less than 1 liter a day. However, you should not take kefir only when you get sick, kefir needs to be a part of your daily diet.
