Kefir is the champagne of dairy, we like to say. It’s the cream of the crop when it comes to a gut-healthy option in the dairy department. Not quite yogurt and not quite regular cow’s milk, it’s the best of them all. Kefir is full of probiotics when it’s made properly and is incredible for the overall health of our microbiome when used consistently over time. However, it may be confusing when you shop for kefir at your local supermarket because there are different options, some with more probiotics and some with less. We want to help give you some tips on what makes Lifeway kefir unique and how our kefir stands out amongst the competition.
When you purchase Lifeway kefir and make it a part of your lifestyle, you’re making an investment in your overall health. We stand by that promise and want to share with you what makes us different compared to other brands.
What is Lifeway Kefir?
Kefir is a probiotic powerhouse filled with essential nutrients important for everyday health
Lifeway Kefir contains essential nutrients difficult to replace when not included in a healthy diet. One 8-ounce serving of kefir is an excellent source of vitamin D, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, and a good source of protein, vitamin A, vitamin B12, potassium, and selenium.
The nutrients found in kefir are essential for a healthy body, including building and maintaining muscle, energy, and a healthy weight. Each 8-ounce serving of kefir contains 12 live and active cultures and 25 to 30 billion beneficial CFU (Colony Forming Units) to help maintain a healthy and balanced gut, which may support a healthy immune system, mood, digestion, and more. The fermentation process enriches the content of vitamins B1, B12, K, folic acid, calcium, and amino acids, as well as bioactive peptides and organic acids
How do Probiotics in Lifeway Kefir Stack Up Against Supplements?
Probiotics from cultured dairy may be a smarter source than probiotics from supplements or other non-dairy sources. Kefir and other cultured probiotic dairy products buffer the acid in the stomach, which protects probiotics and increases the chance of them making their way through the digestive tract.
In contrast, probiotic supplements in the form of pills don’t usually provide nutrients that the cultures found in probiotic foods, like kefir, produce during fermentation. Emerging research suggests that the carbohydrates found in dairy products support the growth of the probiotics, thus making them more effective when consumed.
Lifeway Kefir vs. Other Kefir Brands
Lifeway’s unique fermentation process and specific kefir cultures ensure Lifeway Kefir is up to 99 percent lactose-free and suitable for most anyone who is lactose intolerant making it an attainable source of powerful probiotics. Lifeway Kefir is a probiotic powerhouse filled with essential nutrients important for everyday health, such as calcium, potassium, protein, and vitamin A.
We are proud to say we also offer one of the lowest sugar options on the market when it comes to kefir and drinkable yogurt. For starters, all of our plain flavors of kefir are 100% free of added sugars, meaning all the sugar left after the fermentation process is from the milk we use to make our kefir. There are no sweeteners of any kind added to our plain kefir, including our plain low-fat kefir and plain whole milk kefir.
All of the delicious flavors of kefir we offer are also free of artificial ingredients, dietary gums, dyes, and other unnatural substances. We use non-GMO unrefined cane sugar for the flavors of kefir we offer, which only contain 1 gram of sugar per ounce! They are an excellent less-sweet option to give you the quality flavor you want without anything unnatural. Meanwhile, some brands of kefir can contain several teaspoons of sugar per cup compared to our kefir, while others may contain unnatural sweeteners and other ingredients.
All of Lifeway kefir is also non-GMO and made from only the highest quality milk. When you choose Lifeway kefir, you’re choosing the best for your body the planet, and your overall health.
Want to know more? See our FAQ here and check us out on Instagram for more healthy tips and recipes to inspire your gut health journey!