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🥛 Mass produced kefir: not as good as the real deal

🦠 It’s all down to the bacteria

If you drink kefir for its gut health and cholesterol-lowering benefits, I have a bit of disappointing news for you.

Kefir, a traditional fermented milk beverage from Eastern Europe, has become popular in the UK due to its perceived health benefits.

It is typically made with milk from cows, goats, or sheep, which is fermented with kefir grains, a mixture of specific bacteria and yeasts. As such, traditional kefir is rich in probiotics, which have gut health benefits, and fermentation by-products, which can have cholesterol-lowering benefits.

Of course, gut health and cholesterol lowering claims are plastered on every kefir product.

But mass-produced kefir sold in UK supermarkets is very different from traditional kefir, and this difference affects its health benefits.

It is the types of bacteria used in kefir fermentation that give the drink its health benefits. Not surprisingly, commercial production of kefir often uses different types of bacteria (usually less yeasts or bacteria) than traditional kefir to ensure speed, quality, and consistency.

And it is the removal of yeast or lactobacilli from the fermentation process that can blunt the cholesterol-lowering benefits of kefir (see below).

🏠 Take home message

This research suggests that mass-produced kefir does not have the same benefits as traditional kefir.

But kefir is still a fermented product rich in probiotics, and although mass production can blunt its cholesterol-lowering effect, the probiotics can still benefit your gut health.

Importantly, there are few fermented products readily available in supermarkets, with kimchi, kombucha, and tempeh being some of the few. Hence, even though kefir may not be the best choice for cholesterol lowering, it is still a good option for gut health.

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🌴 Scottish scientists develop palm oil alternative that’s greener

A Scottish research team has developed a cheaper alternative to palm oil using by-products from the linseed industry, natural fibre, and rapeseed oil. The alternative, called PALM-ALT, has 80% less saturated fat, 30% fewer calories, and lower carbon emissions than palm oil.

This is very important because palm oil is the world's most-produced vegetable oil. It is not the healthiest oil, especially when processed because it is odourless, tasteless, and colourless, and its high demand has led to significant deforestation in some areas.

🏠 Take home message

Anything that stops a large number of trees from being chopped down is a good idea, and this is great for the environment!

However, replacing a naturally occurring oil with a heavily processed alternative may not be the best for our health.

This research will likely have the greatest impact on processed foods. When PALM-ALT becomes viable and cheaper to produce, it will likely replace palm oil, and manufacturers will shout about their environmental credentials to win more shoppers (as usual).

Don't fall for it. We need fewer ultra-processed ingredients in food.

Instead, let's choose real oils or fats that are local to us, such as olive oil and butter in Europe. This way, we can be healthier, support local farmers, and be more sustainable.

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😅 And finally!

Remember not to believe every claim on social media. We can probably cross cholesterol metabolism from this list of benefits.