The Many Benefits of Coconut Water Kefir

Kefir is an ancient drink that has been enjoyed for hundreds of years.
Research shows that coconut water may protect against heart attack, high blood
pressure, irregular heartbeat, and blood clots.
Originally from the Caucasus Mountains in the former Soviet Union in Central Asia, the
word kefir derives from the Turkish word "Keyif," which means "good feeling."
Kefir is traditionally a cultured milk beverage.
Since many of us on the Body Ecology Diet are in the initial stages of healing the gut,
Donna developed a way to enjoy kefir that doesnt involve milk or potentially irritating
proteins found in milk, like casein.

COCONUT WATER CULTURED WITH KEFIR STARTER

Coconut water kefir, made from the Kefir Starter, is fermented and rich in beneficial
bacteria and yeast. Enjoying coconut water kefir in your diet can benefit your kidneys,
heart, immunity, and overall health.
Coconut water kefir contains the beneficial microbes that are found in traditional kefir.
It also offers all the benefits of raw, living coconut water.
Because coconut water kefir is fermented, beneficial bacteria and yeast transform the
natural sugars found in coconut water releasing powerful metabolites that often
benefit the human body. The World Health Organization tells us that probiotics are, "Live
micro-organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health
benefit on the host.
Raw coconut water inoculated with Body Ecologys Kefir Starter Culture is a restorative
tonic that supports energy and detoxification.

WHY DRINK COCONUT WATER?

Coconut water contains essential minerals that serve as electrolytes in the body,
including:

Potassium

Sodium

Chlorides

Calcium

Magnesium

Researchers at the Loma Linda University Medical Center report that raw coconut
water is sterile. It can be safely injected directly into the bloodstream without harming
blood cells. The mineral profile of coconut water is so similar to human plasma that in
emergency situations doctors have injected it intravenously to prevent dehydration.
This was a common practice in World War II and during the Vietnam War when
intravenous solution was in short supply. A patient can safely receive as much as one
quarter to one third of the patients body weight in coconut water intravenously.
The high levels of potassium in coconut water make it an effective remedy for kidney
stones, calcium crystal stones that form in the kidney and travel through the urinary
system.
Coconut water is also heart healthy. Research shows that coconut water may protect
against heart attack, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and blood clots.5

THE PROBIOTIC POWER AND BENEFITS OF COCONUT WATER KEFIR

From infection to high blood pressure and obesity, the probiotics in kefir prove
themselves to be a valuable addition to anyones diet.
Kefir often contains seven strains of probiotic bacteria and yeast:

Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis

Lactococcus lactis subsp. Cremoris

Lactococcus lactis subsp. Diacetylactis

Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. Cremoris

Lactobacillus kefyr (thermophilic)

Saccharomyces unisporus

Kluyveromyces marxianus

In 2007, the Turkish Microbial Society cultured all seven strains together. They then tested
each individual strain and found that each one could protect against food-borne
pathogens, such as Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and Listeria. Lactobacillus kefyr alone
was found to fight the toxins produced by Clostridium difficile, a bacterium that
contributes to chronic and sometimes deadly diarrhea. Because C. difficile is
increasingly resistant to antibiotics, C. difficile infection is life threatening.
In 2008, researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland found that the probiotic
Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris can produce chemical messages that fight
cancer and boost the immune systems response.8 Other research even shows that kefir
may reduce the spread of cancerous cells.
The probiotic Saccharomyces unisporus is a yeast that produces healthy fatty acids,
such as palmitic acid (found in palm oil) and palmitoleic acid (found in macadamia
nuts). Palmitic acid acts as an antioxidant in the body and is a source of vitamin A.10
According to research, palmitoleic acid is a signaling molecule that helps fight weight
gain.Besides helping to keep off excess weight,. unisporus produces an anti-tumor
agent called farnesol.Farnesol has been shown to control the growth of opportunistic
yeast, like Candida.
Kluyveromyces marxianus, another beneficial yeast, profoundly affects blood pressure.
Recent studies show that K. marxianus produces molecules that act like ACE inhibitors in
the body.ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor) make up a class of
pharmaceutical drugs that open blood vessels. Because ACE inhibitors are used to treat
high blood pressure and congestive heart failure, scientists are exploring the use of kefir
as a functional food.
Surprisingly, coconut water kefir is quite simple to make and enjoy at home, once you
get the hang of the prep process. Body Ecology's step-by-step tutorial makes
fermenting fresh coconut water easy. #