Continued from What is Kefir?

Along with beneficial yeast and bacteria, kefir is a muscle-building complete protein. If you are strict on your eat-clean diet you could afford to try a low-fat kefir. It provides an abundance of calcium and magnesium, nutrients that may otherwise come from a supplement.

Another nutrient powerhouse in kefir is phosphorus. Phosphorus is a critical player in the assimilation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins as food moves through the digestive tract. The more plentiful this mineral, the healthier every cell becomes and the more energy you have. Along with these positives, kefir fights junk food cravings – just what you need when eating clean.

Even better, kefir is rich in vitamins B-1, B-6, B-12 and K. B vitamins are multi-tasking nutrients capable of regulating the liver, kidneys and nervous system, chasing signs of old age and even boosting energy levels. People who consume kefir regularly seem to be less anxious. This is because kefir contains loads of tryptophan, which converts to serotonin, the feel-good chemical in the brain. I like that a lot.

Kefir is found in the dairy case. It has a slightly fermented taste but it should never be lumpy or taste sour. You may drink kefir or add it to yogurt or milk recipes, like smoothies or shakes.

Star nutrients in kefir: protein, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus.