Nutrition experts believe that eating at night is not allowed. However, this does not apply to kefir, and to other fermented milk products. They have many useful properties. When to drink kefir? Many nutritionists advise drinking this drink just before bedtime. It will saturate the body with light beneficial components and improve the performance of many internal systems. As a result, you can not only improve your health, but also contribute to the achievement of longevity.
The composition of kefir
Many are interested in when to drink kefir. If there are no contraindications to the use of this drink, then it will become incredibly useful for the human body. And you can drink it at any time of the day.
Since ancient times, kefir has been recognized as one of the secrets of longevity. People who consumed a sour-milk drink were distinguished by good health and ideal external data. This is due to its useful composition. The composition of kefir yeast includes 22 beneficial bacteria, the main components include:
- lactic acid sticks;
- yeast;
- acetic acid;
- dairy streptococci.
Kefir is a natural product that is obtained by fermenting milk. It is impossible to make a drink in an unnatural way.
The composition of kefir includes: vitamins A, C, PP and group B, minerals (calcium, fluorine, iron, phosphorus, sodium).
Calorie drink
Calories in kefir depend on its fat content. Therefore, their value per 100 g of dairy product is as follows:
- 1% - 40 kcal;
- 2.5% - 50 kcal;
- 3.2% - 56 kcal.
In a glass (250 ml) of 1% kefir - 100 kcal. Thanks to this, the drink is often consumed during the diet. At the same time, fasting days based on kefir are more useful not for weight loss, but for speeding up the digestion process.
Drink benefits
Kefir has a rich chemical composition. This allows you to push the fermented milk product to one of the main places due to its benefits. When to drink kefir and what will it bring to the body? Here are the main benefits of the drink:
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Increases the absorption of nutrients from food.
- Improves intestinal motility.
- Eliminates swelling.
- Carries out the prevention of cancer.
- Slags and toxins are removed from the body.
- Destruction of pathogenic microflora occurs.
- It is better absorbed, since lactose is partially processed into lactic acid.
- The effects of alcohol poisoning are neutralized.
If we generalize the effect of kefir on the body, then it is also:
- antidepressant, because it positively affects the nervous system;
- relaxer due to stress relief;
- an antioxidant that can slow down the aging process in the body.
The drink has a slight diuretic effect, it can be drunk by people who have problems with edema and high blood pressure. Kefir goes well with cereal products.
Thanks to the fermented milk product, the speed of the digestion process increases. Fresh kefir has a laxative effect, but released more than 3 days ago, on the contrary, it strengthens.
Due to the benefits that kefir provides to the body, it can be included in a healthy diet.
People who include a drink in their menu immediately solve several problems. They can get rid of vitamin deficiency, improve the condition of bones and skin, normalize the digestive system and resist stress.
Which kefir is healthier
Nutritionists argue that it is necessary to buy a drink whose shelf life is not more than one week. Typically, such requirements are met by a drink produced by a local dairy, for example, Prostokvashino kefir.
If the shelf life of the product is more than 7 days, then it will not be able to benefit the body. Long-term storage kefir contains starch-based thickeners.
A fermented milk drink is classified as follows:
- according to the degree of fat content - from 0 to 6%;
- by alcohol content - from 0.6 to 0.2%;
- according to the duration of preparation, one-day, two-day or three-day are distinguished;
- by the presence of additives: fruit syrups, milk powder, additional vitamins, lacto and bifidobacteria.
In normal mode, kefir with 3.2% fat content will benefit, because minerals and vitamins from it are absorbed much more efficiently. The low fat drink is for people on a diet. Such kefir also helps lower cholesterol.
Sour-milk drink with fruit additives raises some doubts about its benefits, as it may contain a lot of synthetic flavors and colors.
When to drink kefir
If it is necessary to improve the intestinal microflora, then it is best to drink a drink when the stomach is as empty as possible. Moreover, it is most useful to drink a product with a minimum amount of additives.
If you use kefir just as a drink, then it will take its rightful place in the breakfast, lunch or dinner menu.
Many are interested in when to drink kefir. Daily inclusion in the diet is not prohibited by doctors, but there are no indications for this. For maximum results, the drink is best drunk every other day.
An important point is the freshness of the product. In open form, it can be stored for no more than 3 days. If you use the product on the 4th day, then constipation or diarrhea, and sometimes heartburn, may occur.
In small doses, kefir contains ethyl alcohol, so taking more than 2 glasses can worsen the concentration of attention in drivers. It is also able to provide a light and weak relaxation effect. Because of these properties, kefir is referred to as low-alcohol drinks.
Children over 3 years old and adults are allowed to drink 1-2 glasses of drink per day. For babies from six months - 50 ml 2 times a week, gradually increasing a single dose to 100 ml by 1 year and up to 200 ml - to two.
It is best to drink a drink at room temperature, and in order to achieve better digestibility - in small sips.
Is it possible to use kefir in the morning
The use of this fermented milk drink on an empty stomach has a beneficial effect on the body. There are many recipes that turn kefir into a full meal for breakfast. Various components are added to it.
When is it better to drink kefir? The benefits of drinking in the morning are as follows:
- appetite improves;
- the work of the nervous system is normalized;
- removes bad breath;
- improves mood and tone.
During pregnancy, menopause or menstruation, morning use of kefir will help the female body build biorhythms. For people who are hard to wake up in the morning, the drink will give vigor and clarity of mind.
In order to achieve a good mood, add cinnamon and ginger, a spoonful of honey and a little lemon juice to a glass of kefir on the tip of a knife.
Drink at night
Many people are interested in when to drink kefir - in the morning or in the evening. The drink can be consumed on an empty stomach, but it will also bring many benefits before bedtime.
In this case, the benefits of kefir are as follows:
- Facilitates the digestion of food.
- Reduces hunger. Taking kefir before bedtime eliminates the need for a snack after dinner.
- The drink acts as a mild laxative, which is especially useful for people suffering from constipation.
- Promotes rapid falling asleep thanks to the amino acid tryptophan.
- Helps the digestive system in recovery during sleep.
- Improves calcium absorption.
Kefir especially helps people who seek to lose weight. It reduces hunger in the most difficult evening hours.
If the optimal dinner time is before 8 pm, then it is best to drink kefir after 2 hours. The temperature of the drink should be room temperature.
Possible harm
Despite the many advantages, a fermented milk drink can also harm the body. Its use is not recommended in such cases:
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
- digestive upset;
- individual intolerance to milk protein.
In order not to harm the body, there are certain rules for its use:
- In the presence of a stomach ulcer, it is allowed to drink low-fat kefir, but it is best to use it between main meals.
- If after taking a drink the patient notices aching pains in the stomach, then this indicates the presence of problems with the digestive system.
- With pancreatitis or gastritis with high acidity, kefir is not recommended to drink.
- People prone to diarrhea should also not get involved in this sour-milk drink.
- With caution, kefir is allowed to be given to children up to a year in connection with their insufficiently formed microflora for its assimilation.
- An old drink released more than 3 days ago is not recommended for people suffering from heartburn.
It is also important not to use expired and low-quality kefir, because they can cause poisoning. It should not be left warm for more than 1-2 hours, it is not necessary to warm the drink on the battery and be sure to monitor the expiration date.
All these points must be considered before including kefir in your daily diet.
Conclusion
Kefir is a delicious fermented milk product that can be included in the diet with a healthy diet. It can be consumed both in the morning and in the evening. Kefir has many positive properties and, if used properly, will only bring benefits to the body.
Despite the benefits, the drink can be harmful, which should also be considered when including it in the daily menu.