Nourish Kefir is made with fresh kefir grains. And that's why we always say it's made with kefir grains...
Kefir grains are clusters of complex micro-organisms of gut friendly bacteria, yeasts and enzymes - a perfect symbiosis (harmonious balance). Ours are grown, nurtured and fermented by us, fresh for each batch, making our drinks unique and individual.
The science behind Nourish Kefir
Our drinks have been scientifically analysed in 3 separate scientific analysis that was not funded by us, for us. They are independent trails with no vested interest in the outcomes.
The first for the BBC Trust Me I'm a Doctor, we may be familiar the program that was seen in 2017. It confirmed that the bacteria in our drinks did adhere to the large intestine to make a difference to the gut microbiota by establishing a new probiotic strain that was previously not present - here's a link to the study:
Next, London South Bank Uni (LSBU) undertook a A Gut Brain scientific analysis to investigate the effects of fermented foods on the gut communicating with the brain and how they may affect mood, here's the link to the results we have so far:
Next Queen Mary University in Twickenham conducted a study involving children with ADHD who participated in drinking kefir or placebo, under scientific controls to see if it would help reduce their ADHD symptoms when consumed as part of their diet. A link to this paper is here
Unique Bacteria Analysis
In 2019 we conducted in-depth laboratory analysis at Campden Laboratories to identify the species in Nourish Kefir drinks made from both cow's and goats milk. This study identified LAB's, these are Lactic Acid Bacteria, which are most common in fermented milks (they study didn't look at yeasts or other strains of good bacteria). We found the initial results both impressive and very interesting.
There are hundreds of different strains of bacteria and yeasts living in real kefir made from grains. In our opinion, Nourish Kefir is the champion of fermented milks, a miracle milk drink! Species were identified in our drinks that we've never heard of before! The most abundant type of Lactococcus is the bacteria that's unique to Nourish. It doesn't have a 'subname' because being unique to us it doesn't appear on any list of previously identified bacteria - it's a NEW strain! Other bacteria species identified in Nourish include the following:
- Lactococcus - unique to Nourish - we grown our own unique strain
- Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens - this one is only in real kefir made from grains
- Lactobacillus kefiri - only in real kefir made from grains
- Lactobacillus parakefiri
- Lactococcus fujiensis
- Lactococcus raffinolactis
- Lactobacillus - another strain unique to Nourish Kefir
- Lactobacillus otakiensis
- Lactobacillus faeni
- Lactococcus lactis - a probiotic reported to boost the immune system
- Lactobacillus ultunensis
- Lactobacillus buchneri - participates in CO2 production or slight fizz
- Lactobacillus parabuchneri - participates in CO2 production - slight fizz
- acetobacter pasteurianus
- Bifidobacterium
- Lactobacillus paracasei
- Lactobacillus brevis
- Lactococcus lactis
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae
This isn't the full list - there were over 200 different types of bacteria identified in our grains, however they are NOT present in equal amounts - some are present in very small amounts, but still identified. That's really one of the finest qualities about real kefir grains - they are an amazing natural gift for us all! Bacteria play such a massive role in our lives - as we are learning. Over the years so many customers have reported improvements in their gut health.
These are kefir grains. They feel soft and spongy to touch!
A Miracle of nature - Real kefir grains are naturally occurring and cannot be man made. We can look after them and help them to grow - but you cannot make a kefir grain. It's actually quite awe inspiring that this tiny little cluster can contain over 200 species of bacteria! Deborah, our founder, experienced the miracle of kefir when it healed her crohn's disease, that she had been suffering with for over 10 years. Order for home delivery.
Gluten free:
When we talk about 'grains' please know that this is the term for this specific type of micro organism - that forms in little clusters - as in the picture. These are not to be confused with grains such as wheat, flour, oats and barley, rice, and they do NOT contain gluten.