Surely one of their followers has tried to persuade you to switch to kefir. This fermented food stirs up strong opinions, and those who test its benefits try to persuade everyone that they must try it. Perhaps its odour or flavour puts you off at first, but if you are here it’s because kefirmania has reached your doorstep and you’re wondering whether it is really a better alternative to yoghurt.
There are many factors to consider, so the best thing is to consult the professionals. Nutritionist Pablo Ojeda is clear on his verdict, and after outlining the pros and cons of these two essential products, he is certain which one comes out on top…
Let’s Talk About Bacteria
We’re not going to give you Ojeda’s verdict just yet, because before reaching a conclusion we must understand the reasons behind his answer. And the first point the expert invites us to examine is the probiotic capacity of these two products.
“The kefir is more potent for your microbiota than yoghurt,
it is fermented, contains up to 30 types of beneficial microorganisms for our gut flora, whereas yoghurt has only around 2 to 5 of these bacteria.
And it’s not just about quantity. It has been shown that the bacteria in kefir have a greater capacity to colonise the gut and stay there longer. This means they can exert a more substantial effect on the intestinal microbiota.
On the other hand, yoghurt “only has an effect while it is being consumed”, explains Ojeda in a video for Instagram.
Lactose Intolerance
If you fall into that large percentage of people who don’t digest lactose well, this is of interest. Because, as Luis Ojeda explains, kefir is far more digestible than yoghurt, precisely because it is naturally low in this natural sugar found in milk and dairy products.
The bacteria that make kefir digest this lactose during fermentation more efficiently than those in yoghurt, so when it reaches you it is easier to digest.
Anti-inflammatory Effect?
Another big myth surrounding kefir is that it is an anti-inflammatory product. And is that the case? Nutritionist Luis Ojeda confirms it. Kefir has a more potent effect in reducing intestinal inflammation, although yoghurt also offers this benefit.
All of this is due to kefir being very rich in yeast and bacterial peptides, which are responsible for reducing inflammation and, furthermore, strengthening the immune system.
Let’s Talk About the Flavour
To finish this comparison, we mustn’t forget that food should always be palatable. That is, it should be pleasant to eat, otherwise we won’t integrate it into our regular diet.
In this regard, yoghurt may be superior to kefir. Its texture is creamier and its flavour milder, whereas kefir is more liquid and slightly more acidic. Yet, as the saying goes, there’s a taste for everyone. Some people claim to prefer the sharper tang of kefir over yoghurt, while others favour the opposite.
All of these differences are actually due to different fermentation processes. While yoghurt is prepared exclusively with the bacteria Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, kefir involves a more complex combination of bacteria and yeasts. Yogurt is produced at a constant warm temperature with active cultures, whereas kefir is prepared at room temperature by adding kefir grains (this consortium of bacteria) to the milk at ambient temperature.
These variations in preparation account for the major differences between these two milk-fermented products. Yet we still haven’t solved the big question of this article: which of the two options is better?
Yoghurt or Kefir?
Luis Ojeda is clear: “kefir is superior to yoghurt due to its greater diversity and capacity to colonise.” This does not mean, however, that we should eliminate yoghurt from our diet. Not at all! “If you’re simply looking for a light probiotic option that’s easy to include in your daily routine,” the nutritionist explains, “yoghurt remains an excellent option.”
In fact, his advice is to alternate both to get the best of both worlds.
And while the two products resemble one another, each has its own peculiarities. As they say, there’s a flavour for every palate.
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