Kefir is one of the most popular fermented milk products in the country. It has a number of useful qualities, but many parents think about its benefits for children, since this drink contains a small percentage of alcohol. Kefir is contraindicated for infants, but for the rest, a high-quality, fresh drink with a small alcohol content will only benefit.
The benefits of kefir
The homeland of kefir is North Ossetia, it was there that they began to produce a fermented milk drink based on a unique sourdough. The health and long life of the mountaineers testifies to its benefits, and scientists confirm this fact - the product contains a large amount of prebiotic bacteria, the analogues of which live in the human intestine. They promote digestion, help to assimilate foods high in fiber, so kefir goes well with cereals. With a lack of these lactic cultures, digestive disorders develop, which this drink cures.
Kefir helps not only with diseases of the stomach, but also the liver, intestines, pancreas. It speeds up the digestion process, has diuretics and provides the body with large amounts of protein. It is believed that this drink boosts immunity, strengthens the nervous system and treats sleep disorders. Moreover, there are studies proving that kefir reduces the risk of cancer.
All of the listed useful qualities of kefir are true for both adults and children. Kefir is an excellent source of calcium, this mineral element is very important during the growth period of the body. Also, this drink has a relaxing effect, it soothes overly active and overexcited children. It is especially useful to drink this fermented milk product for a child suffering from gastrointestinal disorders.
But it is important to know that with increased acidity, kefir, on the contrary, is contraindicated.
When can you give kefir to children?
Despite all the listed advantages, kefir also has some disadvantages that do not allow us to call it a uniquely useful product for children of all ages. Kefir contains a small percentage of alcohol - about 0.5%. This amount increases if the product is kept warm for several hours - fermentation continues in it, and the amount of alcohol may increase to 1.5%, and in the child's body the process will continue, the concentration may reach 3%.
Therefore, children can only be given fresh kefir, during storage of which the temperature regime was observed.
This product contains a lot of coarse protein casein, which is well absorbed by the adult body, but not suitable for newborns. It is difficult for an infant to digest kefir - not only protein, but also a large amount of mineral salts, carbohydrates that are not similar to those of mother's milk, the wrong ratio of fatty acids pose a problem for the baby. Therefore, doctors recommend giving kefir from eight months of age.
