The expert pointed to kefir's ability to slow down the aging process

Due to the content of protein, vitamins and minerals, kefir strengthens bone health and improves overall health. Irina Lyalina, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the State University of Education, told Izvestia about this on May 6.

"Kefir is well balanced in composition and is easily digested. Due to the content of protein, vitamins and minerals (calcium, B vitamins, vitamin D, C and K, magnesium, phosphorus, folic acid), it strengthens bone health and improves overall health. As a low-calorie protein product, it is very effective for weight loss or the need to strictly control weight. It contains tryptophan, which improves sleep, so it is useful at night," she explained.

According to her, regular consumption of kefir slows down the aging process in the body and adds an additional few years of life, so it is especially useful for the elderly. In addition, it helps in the prevention of a number of diseases, including cancer. The drink also normalizes the intestinal microflora, prevents constipation, and improves digestion.

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Experts told how energy drinks, yoghurts, smoothies and canned food undermine health.

"Kefir has all these properties due to the content of lacto- and bifidobacteria. Healthy kefir should contain active live cultures: the shorter the shelf life, the healthier kefir is. Three days after cooking, the beneficial bacteria in kefir die, and the drink itself can cause fermentation in the stomach, especially if consumed excessively," Lyalina added.

At the same time, such a drink can be drunk daily, normally no more than one or two glasses.

However, kefir can cause allergies in people who are sensitive to dairy products, as well as diarrhea and excessive gas formation, which may be signs of lactose intolerance. In this case, you need to switch to lactose-free versions of the drink or exclude kefir from the diet, the expert advised.

Earlier, on May 4, Olga Shuppo, founder and scientific director of the Grand Clinic network of immunorehabilitation, adaptive and preventive medicine clinics, told Izvestia that in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is necessary to eliminate overeating and irregular meals, reduce the consumption of sugar and refined foods. According to her, the more the diet contains a variety of vegetables and cereals, the more diverse the intestinal microbiota will be, which means a stronger immune system.