Kefir for constipation: how to prepare and use the drink correctly

constipation kefir diet folk remedies recipes

When visiting a doctor with the problem of constipation, you can often hear the phrase: “Drink kefir.” Regular consumption of fermented milk products improves digestion and general condition. For constipation, it is recommended to drink fermented milk products daily. It is especially useful to eat them in combination with vegetables. Intestinal motility improves, and constipation leaves only memories.

The benefits of kefir

This drink has many beneficial properties. It contains lactic acid bacteria. All the benefits of kefir for constipation depend largely on them. These “little helpers” improve digestion and intestinal function is normalized. In addition, it regulates appetite. Consuming kefir helps cope with hunger. Stress plays a significant role in the problem of constipation. Fermented milk products improve not only intestinal motility, but also mood. As a result, with regular consumption of kefir, stool becomes normal.

Drinking a glass of kefir before bed, a person relaxes, and the fermented milk bacteria of kefir work

Beneficial properties of fermented milk drinks for intestinal problems

Kefir is obtained due to the fermentation of milk by certain microorganisms. It contains proteins, a small amount of carbohydrates and fats, lactic acid and many bacteria representing the normal microflora of the human intestine (lactobacteria, bifidobacteria). The product has a beneficial effect on the human body:

Improving the functional state of the intestines - lactic acid bacteria are representatives of normal microflora; they improve the process of food digestion. At the same time, the concentration of decay products, which have a negative effect on the motor activity of the intestine, decreases.
Cleansing the intestines and stomach of toxins due to partial binding and elimination. Kefir begins to act from the first days of taking it.
Stimulation of the activity of local and general immunity, which is partially carried out by lactic acid bacteria.
A slight increase in diuresis - organic compounds increase the formation and excretion of urine. The effect is more pronounced in children.
Reducing the risk of developing oncological processes with the formation of malignant or benign tumors of various locations in the body - the effect is realized due to the presence of lactic acid.
Replenishment of fluid and mineral salts in the body.
Normalization of mineral metabolism and bone density due to the content of a sufficient amount of calcium ions.
Improving the functional state of the central and peripheral nervous system.

https://youtu.be/HQDfFCCSodQ

Kefir before bed

Many people feel hungry late in the evening. It makes me want to eat something. Kefir before bed will help eliminate hunger, become healthier and enhance natural beauty. After evening use, constipation is gently relieved in the morning. There are several general reasons why you should drink a glass of this drink:

An excellent hunger quencher.
No heaviness in the stomach in the morning.
Eliminate constipation.
Improvement in general condition.
Preserving the beauty of the skin.
Normalization of intestinal function.
Restoration of microflora.

Kefir may prevent certain types of cancer.

The benefits of kefir for the prevention of certain types of cancer have been shown in studies.

Reference to articles:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1432599
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12734066

Probiotics from kefir are believed to suppress tumor growth by reducing the formation of carcinogenic compounds, as well as by stimulating the immune system. This protective role has been demonstrated in several test tube studies against colon cancer and leukemia.

Reference to articles:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25189203
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21448298

The cancer prevention benefits of kefir have also been demonstrated in animal studies. Kefir reduced breast cancer by 56% (interesting fact, yogurt reduced breast cancer by only 14%), but this effect still needs to be proven in humans. Most likely, in humans the effect will be much smaller and will only have a preventive effect - but still.

Reference to articles:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17887934

What does kefir contain?

Any food contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates. Also, the availability of vitamins and microelements is individual for each product. Kefir is a storehouse of nutrients. This fermented milk drink contains vitamins C, PP, B1,B2, B5, B6, B9, B12

Minerals Calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, iron, zinc, iodine, copper, manganese, selenium, chromium, fluorine, molybdenum, cobalt.

The benefits of kefir are obvious and consist not only in eliminating constipation. Regular presence of this drink in the diet helps to compensate for the deficiency of important micro and macroelements, as well as essential vitamins.

Still from the film “Operation “Y” and other adventures of Shurik”

Kefir is a more powerful probiotic than yogurt

Probiotics from kefir are useful for the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.

Reference to articles:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22529959

Yogurt is the most well-known probiotic-containing food in the Western diet. But not many people know that the benefits of kefir as a probiotic are much more powerful than yogurt. So yogurt contains about two strains of bacteria and does not contain yeast, and kefir contains about 30-40 and contains yeast!!! Kefir bacteria contain beneficial enzymes, phosphorus, folate, lactic acid, biotin, vitamin K, and B vitamins.

Expiration date

When choosing a fermented milk drink, any person pays attention to the expiration date. Why is it so important to choose the right kefir for constipation? Drinking a drink that has stood for more than two days is likely to have the opposite effect. The thing is that only one day will help with constipation. This is explained by the fact that on the first day lactic acid bacteria multiply, then fermentation occurs. For stomach diseases, it is also not recommended to consume fermented milk drinks that have been stored for more than two days.

Contraindications for this product.

Despite all the beneficial properties, not everyone can drink kefir. There are a number of characteristics of this product that may adversely affect some people.

Kefir has high acidity. That is why it is contraindicated for people with increased secretion of gastric juice and gastric and duodenal ulcers.
Kefir that can be stored for a long time contains ethyl alcohol. Because of this, it is not recommended to consume kefir for pregnant and lactating women.
Kefir contains lactose. Some people with lactose intolerance can consume this product normally without consequences. Some people have a negative reaction to this product. That is why people with lactose intolerance are advised to gradually start drinking kefir in small doses.
Carbon dioxide. In some people, kefir can cause increased gas formation and bloating, like after soda. This is due to the presence of carbon dioxide in kefir.

It is also not recommended to use kefir in the diet of young children under 9 months. Then you can gradually try giving it to them in small portions.

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Kefir drink recipes

You can not only prepare dishes based on this fermented milk product, but also make it at home! Let's learn how to prepare delicious recipes for constipation:

Homemade kefir
Beetroot drink
Cocktail “Chill”
Cocktail “Bogatyr”
Smoothie with banana

Homemade kefir

We will need:

Milk – 1 l.
Kefir – 2 tbsp.
Or lacto or bifidobacteria starter – 2 tbsp.

Preparation:

First, you need to decide what kind of milk the drink will be made from. If you use unpasteurized, you must first boil it.
Heat or cool pasteurized or boiled milk, respectively, to a temperature of 38-40 degrees.
Pour warm milk into a clean glass jar.
Add kefir or sourdough.
To add the starter and mix the future kefir, we use only a wooden spatula so as not to harm bacteria or disrupt the fermentation process.
Stir and cover the jar with a lid. If exposed to sunlight, additionally cover with a thin towel.
Leave it indoors for 4 hours, then put it in the refrigerator.
Shelf life is no more than three days.

Beetroot drink

Let's combine the benefits of two products for constipation in one recipe.

We will need:

A glass of kefir.
Beetroot juice – 30 ml.
Sugar to taste.

For decoration you can add chocolate, cinnamon, berries.

Preparation:

Making such a cocktail for constipation is quite simple. Mix the ingredients and beat with a whisk. The drink is ready. We remember that beet juice for constipation should be introduced into the diet in small portions.

Cocktail “Chill”

A glass of this drink will help quench your thirst during the hot season. It will also effectively relieve constipation and improve your general condition.

We will need:

A glass of kefir.
Cucumbers – 3 pcs.
Mint - several leaves.
Honey – 2 tbsp.

Preparation:

Wash cucumbers and mint.
Peel the cucumbers.
Grind in a blender.
Add the rest of the ingredients.
Whisk.

Cocktail “Bogatyr”

We will need:

Kefir – 0.5 l.
Banana – 2 – 3 pcs.
Marshmallow – 2 pcs.
Berries – 3 tbsp.

Preparation:

Cut the banana and marshmallows into pieces.
Place all ingredients in a blender.
Beat first on slow, then at highest speed for 3-5 minutes.

Smoothie with banana

We will need:

Kefir – 400 ml.
Ripe banana – 1 pc.
Oatmeal – 2 tbsp.

Preparation:

Cut the banana into pieces.
Place all ingredients in a blender.
Beat for 2-3 minutes.

The smoothie can be supplemented with fresh berries, other fruits or muesli.

Tips for using kefir, or what should it be combined with?

The most common and proven combinations are presented below in the article.

Kefir and butter are often used to relieve constipation. To do this, add a spoonful of sunflower or olive oil to a glass of dairy product.
To improve bowel function, it is important to consume fiber. For example, buckwheat is very rich in it. You can cook it by mixing it with kefir. Another recipe involves using raw buckwheat, which is poured with kefir overnight. Both of these options are equally effective. Which one to use is a matter of patient taste.
Dried fruits are great for constipation, especially dried apricots and prunes. These products can also be added to kefir. Young patients will definitely like this remedy.
Another effective remedy is the addition of ginger. Use dried root or juice squeezed from fresh product. Ginger needs to be stirred in one glass of kefir. Dried ginger is added in the amount of half a teaspoon. Add juice in the amount you like. The juice is quite hot, which is why many people don't like it.
You can also use a mixture of this fermented milk product in combination with bran. First, prepare the second component. The bran is placed in the oven, where it is heated until golden brown. After this, they are cooled and poured with boiling water. After thirty minutes, the water is drained, and the resulting bran in the amount of a tablespoon is added to the fermented milk product.
If you add finely chopped dill to kefir, then, in addition to the laxative effect, you can get a diuretic effect.

Very often, kefir is used as a prophylactic. During pregnancy, constipation becomes a serious problem for many women. This phenomenon happens to almost every woman. At the same time, the use of medications is not recommended, as they can have a detrimental effect on the development of the fetus. In this regard, for prevention, and in addition, to improve the functioning of the intestines, doctors advise pregnant women to consume kefir every day.

Judging by the reviews, kefir with oil helps with constipation very quickly.

Kefir with other products for constipation

Oil

So, it is quite effective to make a fermented milk drink with butter. If you take this mixture at night, you should expect no constipation in the morning. The most commonly used oils are:

Vegetable.
Olive.
Castor.
Linen.

To gently cleanse the intestines, add 1 tbsp. oil per glass of kefir.

Vegetables

It's no secret that if there is a lack of fiber in the diet, constipation appears. Thus, kefir can be consumed with vegetables. This will have a beneficial effect on intestinal function. You can make salads seasoned with fermented milk product. But eating kefir and vegetables separately will be no less useful in the fight against constipation.

Features of use in pregnant women and children

Babies can have a variety of digestive problems. Since kefir weakens or strengthens, you need to use this and select a product of the right freshness for your child, depending on the situation.

Breastfed babies of the first year of life can be fed a sour drink from 8 months. If a child receives artificial formula instead of mother's milk, then it is allowed to be introduced into the diet a month earlier. Up to 3 years of age, it is better to use special children's kefir; older children can use a low-fat adult drink, preferably given in the evening.

How should expectant mothers take it for constipation? This product should not be combined with castor oil. Otherwise, it is suitable for pregnant women. During this period of life, women are often bothered by constipation, sometimes very persistent.

Synthetic laxatives are prohibited, so you have to cope with the problem with proper nutrition. A glass of fresh fermented milk drink every day will be very helpful. It is allowed to combine it with vegetable oil, for example, drink kefir with olive oil at night or with sunflower oil. Reviews about this recipe from expectant mothers are only positive. However, with uterine hypertonicity, cholecystitis and allergies, it is better to avoid oil in kefir.

Fermented milk product for pregnant women and children

During pregnancy, bowel function often worsens. The fetus puts pressure on him and constipation is not long in coming. Daily consumption of fermented milk products will prevent constipation during pregnancy and in young children. It is important that you only drink kefir for one day.

For children and pregnant women, a drink that has a shelf life of more than two days is harmful!

The reason is not only that digestion slows down. Fermentation of the product entails an increase in alcohol content, which will undoubtedly be important for small children and pregnant women when choosing a drink.

What time of day is best to use?

The optimal dose of the drink per day is 1-2 glasses. You shouldn't abuse it. If the drink is used as a medicine, remember that the effect is brought about by a certain number of living microorganisms, and not by the amount of the product drunk. Healthy microflora will not appear in a day from drinking liters of it. If you want to try the kefir diet, then you are allowed to consume no more than one and a half liters of it per day.

When you want to go to bed with a glass of milk or a glass of kefir - what to prefer? Of course, kefir is better. In order for milk to be absorbed, it should be drunk at least two hours before bedtime. And kefir, thanks to bacteria, is well absorbed, and you can drink it just before bed.

Kefir as a drink is healthier than milk specifically for adults, since lactic acid bacteria not only activate intestinal motility and suppress pathogenic microorganisms, preventing fermentation and rotting from occurring, but also help digest casein (cow's milk protein) and promote the absorption of vitamins, calcium and iron.

Important!

Calcium from kefir is absorbed much better than from milk. Milk also makes iron absorption more difficult than kefir.

Indications for using kefir:

Intestinal dysbiosis
Liver diseases
Diabetes
Autoimmune and allergic diseases
Gastritis with low acidity (3 times a day before meals, ½ glass).
Constipation (fresh kefir).

For an adult, the norm for kefir consumption is 200–400 ml per day, no more

On a note. It is better to drink kefir without sugar. But this drink, by the way, goes well with honey - 1 teaspoon per glass.

Dairy products contain a natural sugar called lactose. Lactose causes glycation of proteins, which means it accelerates aging. Also, many people, especially adults, are unable to break down and digest lactose correctly. This condition is called lactose intolerance. In kefir, part of the lactose is converted into lactic acid.

Reference to articles:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12728216
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1547204

People with sensitive immune systems are more susceptible to allergies and asthma. Animal studies have shown that kefir is also beneficial in that it suppresses inflammatory reactions associated with allergies and asthma. But further research in humans is needed to confirm this fact.

Reference to articles:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17869642

As was shown in the article about milk, milk raises the level of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor). Therefore, excessive milk consumption (more than 2 glasses per day) can provoke many types of cancer. But kefir increases IGF-1 much less than milk due to the fermentation process. And therefore, 1 glass of kefir per day (if you do not drink milk) is safe in relation to the risk of cancer.

Reference to articles:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16428610

As shown above, kefir contains about 30-40 strains of probiotics. And probiotics in studies generally extended the life of mice. This was possibly due to the suppression of chronic inflammation in the colon.

Unfortunately, store-bought kefir contains no beneficial bacteria, enzymes, or very small amounts. The product is useless to combat pathogenic intestinal microflora. Therefore, the best remedy for eliminating dysbiosis is kefir made from homemade milk.

The bacteria contained in the product are able to suppress the processes of decay in the intestinal tract, stimulate the functioning of the digestive organs, and increase the secretion of gastric juice.

The antibacterial effect of fermented milk drink makes it one of the best means used in the treatment of infectious dysbiosis.

In dietary nutrition, only unrefrigerated kefirs with low fat content are used. A product that contains more than two percent fat has the opposite effect and can cause stool retention.

Kefir has a cleansing effect on the lower intestine.

The large intestine is a container of folds, tubular depressions, and irregularities with a depth of up to one centimeter.

During life, a lot of waste and feces accumulate in the intestines, which in the process of rotting poison the entire body.

How to enhance the benefits of the product (photo gallery)

There are a lot of options for using kefir for constipation; all you have to do is choose the one that is most comfortable for you. Such treatment, and especially prevention, will not cause discomfort, but will only have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive system and the entire body.

Kefir contains bacteria that help the natural intestinal microflora do the job of maintaining order in the internal environment of the human body. It has been established that the same product can be used for diametrically opposed stool disorders. One-day kefir weakens constipation, and three days, on the contrary, strengthens it even more.

How to diversify your kefir diet

Due to the fact that getting rid of constipation requires long-term therapy and an integrated approach, it is likely that you can get pretty tired of the same fermented milk drink. Why not add a little more flavor to your everyday meals without affecting their effectiveness?

The combination of honey and kefir has a great laxative effect due to irritation of the mucous membrane due to the presence of organic acids and natural sugar.

Berries

Lingonberries improve peristalsis and remove excess fluid from the body. You can add a few crushed berries with a tablespoon of honey to a cup of weak kefir and drink it with one of your meals. This cocktail is also indicated for inflammatory processes.

Fresh cherries have proven themselves as a product that has a laxative effect. Seedless berries are mashed or crushed in a blender and mixed with kefir. It’s a good idea to complement the drink with May, forest or heather honey.

It is no secret that plums have the ability to weaken the intestines and cleanse the body. Peel several plums, mash well, mix with kefir. A good option would be to add plum jam.

Vegetables

Fermented milk products are mixed not only with fruits and berries. There are many recipes for vegetable salads seasoned with kefir, cottage cheese and sour cream. In a healthy laxative dish, add a couple of crushed cloves of garlic, finely chopped herbs, parsley, dill, basil, arugula or spinach - you can choose to taste - and the new dish is ready.

Mixed carrot juice and kefir in a 1:1 ratio have an excellent laxative effect. The composition is useful for problems with the liver, kidneys, gall bladder and biliary tract.

Bran

Sufficient consumption of fiber, which bran is rich in, contributes to the normal functioning of the digestive organs, good peristalsis, binding and disposal of waste and toxins. The regular presence of this product in the diet helps to lose excess weight, empty the intestines of stagnant feces, and establish systematic bowel movements. The bran is lightly fried in the oven, cooled and ground using a coffee grinder. A few tablespoons are steamed in a glass of boiling water, left to stand for 20 minutes, then the water is drained. A tablespoon of gruel is mixed with kefir and taken three times a day. The cocktail is useful even when the gastrointestinal tract is normal. It is enough to drink it 1-1.5 hours before bedtime.

Kefir may not be suitable for people with high stomach acidity, lactose intolerance, or problems associated with artificially populated intestinal microflora.

Video: Truth and myths about kefir

We are all accustomed to the fact that if a health problem arises, then a trip to the pharmacy for medications cannot be avoided. And it’s not news to anyone that every medication has its own contraindications and side effects - there is always a risk of worsening the condition. To solve a number of problems, you can use other, simpler and more accessible methods without danger to the body - this is called alternative medicine. Let's find out whether regular kefir helps with such a delicate problem as constipation.

How to use for constipation

Does kefir help with constipation - definitely yes, if it is one day old. It can be used both to eliminate an acute situation of stool retention, and to prevent the occurrence of problems. The latter option is preferable for maintaining normal intestinal function and the health of the body as a whole. To do this, it is advisable to drink a glass of fresh drink every day before bed if you are prone to constipation, or three days a day if you are prone to diarrhea.

Whether kefir can cause constipation depends on the correct choice. To facilitate bowel movements, recipes in which the drink is combined with other products are successfully used.

This recipe involves diluting kefir with chilled boiled water in equal proportions. Particularly suitable for people with high acidity, as well as for reducing the fat content of the product in the absence of a low-fat product. It is advisable to drink kefir with water for constipation a couple of hours before bedtime. However, for some, morning or afternoon administration is more suitable if peristalsis is actively stimulated and the laxative effect occurs quickly.

Seasonality

Fermented milk drinks are included in the diet both in the summer heat and in the severe cold. In the summer, it is advisable to carry out fasting kefir or kefir-fruit (kefir-berry, kefir-vegetable) days, since in the heat the natural strength of the digestive tract organs weakens and the body gratefully responds to unloading. Kefir perfectly quenches thirst, which is why this drink is so useful in the summer heat.

As you know, in the summer there are significantly more intestinal disorders, while in the winter the stomach, intestines and other organs involved in the process of breaking down food are strengthened. As the ancient Greek aesculapians said, on hot days the warmth of the stomach tends to “dissipate and relax,” and by the end of autumn, on the contrary, it gains strength.

With the advent of cold weather, the danger of colds increases many times over, and this is where the same beloved kefir comes to the rescue. Possessing the qualities of a natural antibiotic, it significantly increases the body’s protective functions, that is, immunity, helping to effectively resist external infection . Kefir, especially enriched with bifidobacteria, increases the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, thus creating favorable conditions for cells of the immune system, up to 80% of which are found in it.

What is known about the drink

This fermented milk product was once born in ancient times in the Caucasus, today it is distributed throughout the world. Kefir differs from other similar drinks by its special fermentation of microorganisms. This is a whole symbiosis, which includes:

one of the types of lactic acid thermophilic streptococcus (it can withstand heat treatment and loves milk sugar);
acetic acid bacteria (add pungent taste);
yeast fungi (cause alcoholic fermentation with the formation of ethanol and carbon dioxide).

thermostatic - first poured into containers, then placed in a thermostat, heated, while fermentation and pasteurization occur simultaneously;
ordinary - prepared in large containers, then bottled and packaged.

Which kefir is preferable is a matter of taste for each person. Why people love this product:

It is a source of tryptophan, which in the human brain is converted into the sleep hormone (melatonin), so drinking the drink at night helps you fall asleep.
Helps with all types of stool disorders, both constipation and diarrhea. Young or fresh kefir weakens because it stimulates intestinal motility. Kefir aged for more than 2 days strengthens, since it contains a higher content of lactic acid, which suppresses the activity of harmful bacteria.
Relieves hangover in adults. This is due to the presence of organic acids that stimulate the oxidative capabilities of the liver.

With regular consumption of fermented milk drinks, a person’s immunity increases, sleep and appetite are normalized, digestion and metabolism improves. Kefir as a laxative is used to cleanse the intestines when bowel movements are difficult, including constipation in pregnant women and children.