Water kefir: How healthy is the summer trend drink really?

Have you ever heard of water kefir? We'll show you what's behind the trendy drink and how healthy water kefir really is.

Water kefir is considered the trend drink of the hot months! Especially in summer, the sparkling drink refreshes.

In addition to refreshment, water kefir is also said to bring a lot of health benefits. It is not for nothing that the term comes from the Turkish word "Keif", which means well-being.

A delicious, refreshing trendy drink that's also supposed to be healthy? We have researched diligently to get to the bottom of it.

What is behind it? Warm is water kefir healthy? How is it made and, above all, what does the summer drink taste like?

Curious? We'll show you a simple but delicious recipe so you can make your own healthy water kefir.

What is water kefir?

Water kefir, also known as tibi, Japanese crystals or Japanese seaweed, is a sparkling, healthy and probiotic refreshing drink. It is produced through a simple fermentation process.

Water kefir is a great alternative to sparkling soft drinks, but kefir is not as sweet, but slightly sour in taste. In addition, water kefir comes completely without additives or artificial flavors. Healthy and delicious!

However, it is not only the drink that is called water kefir, but also the crystals that are needed for its production. With the help of yeasts and bacteria, water kefir produces healthy power enzymes that are naturally produced during the fermentation process. This is what gives rise to the small crystals.

The water kefir crystals are thus a culture of yeast and bacteria. They metabolize sugar and form tingly carbonic acid from it.

Here are 6 delicious DIY iced tea recipes!

Why water kefir is healthy and how it affects the body

Water kefir is said to have a variety of positive health effects.

But why is water kefir healthy? The many different ingredients in the refreshing drink are responsible for this.

You can order water kefir kits online or buy them in a few drugstores. We ordered the starter kit from Fairment for this experiment. In it, you'll find everything you need for your water kefir: a fermentation jar, the kefir culture, a manual, instructions, and recipes.

Water kefir ingredients

B vitamins: Water kefir certainly contains vitamin B1, B3, B6 and B12. B vitamins are involved in energy metabolism and they are responsible for amino acid breakdown and conversion.

For vegetarians or vegans, the vitamin B12 from water kefir is also important, because natural B12 is otherwise only found in meat, fish or dairy products.

Lactic acid: The sugar in water kefir is predominantly broken down into lactic acid, which gives it its sweet and sour taste.

Lactic acid is partly absorbed in the small intestine and broken down into energy in the body. A large proportion also ends up in the large intestine and is metabolized by the intestinal bacteria. Lactic acid stimulates digestion.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is important for our body to form connective tissue, repair damage and maintain our healthy immune system.

In addition, vitamin C has an anti-inflammatory effect. The bacteria in water kefir produce small amounts of vitamin C.

Vitamin K: Vitamin K is particularly important for blood clotting. The active vitamin K2 is found in water kefir.

Probiotics: In addition, living microorganisms are present in water kefir. These are important for our body, because they expel harmful intestinal bacteria, metabolize fiber and produce many health-promoting substances.

Try these refreshing summer drinks without alcohol!

Health effects of water kefir

The ingredients are partly responsible for the positive health effects.

The effects of water kefir on health have not been proven, but people have trusted in the effects of healthy water kefir for thousands of years.

So the drink is anything but a new invention. Then, as now, it is known for these health benefits:

• Relieves inflammatory bowel conditions, stomach cramps and constipation
• Supports weight loss
• To build up the intestinal flora
• Helps with skin diseases
• For the utilization of nutrients
• Helps against irritable bowel syndrome
• Helps against arthritis
• Alleviates allergies
• Relieves symptoms of migraine and depression
• Complaints of migraine, ADHD, acne are said to improve

In principle, positive effects from drinking water kefir have not been proven. However, with a balanced and healthy diet, the drink can have a good complementary effect.

How is water kefir made?

You have never discovered water kefir in the supermarket? No wonder, the refreshing drink is not sold commercially. So to enjoy water kefir, you have to make it yourself.

But the production is quite simple. Besides the water kefir crystals, you only need water, sugar, dried fruit and acid.

The water should have a lot of minerals. As an acid, lemon juice is best suited.

With the dried fruits you have free choice. Anything that tastes good is permitted. The dried fruit is a source of nitrogen for the kefir cultures and enhances the taste. Depending on which dried fruit you choose, your water kefir will have a different flavor. Raisins, figs, dates or goji berries are particularly popular.

The sugar is almost completely broken down in the course of the fermentation process, and lactic acid, carbonic acid, alcohol and valuable metabolic products of the microorganisms are produced instead.

After only a few hours, you can already observe the first activities in the water kefir. The crystals bounce around, divide, form carbonic acid and rise to the top. This works best at warm room temperature.

Mega delicious: Dalgona coffee - How to make it yourself!

How to make water kefir healthy and without white sugar?

You would like to try the water kefir, but the sugar it contains still speaks against it for you? We have searched for a recipe for the healthy water kefir, which is completely without the white sugar.

Before you start making it, you need to activate your dry water kefir crystals. When dry, the crystals resemble brown sugar.

For activation, dissolve 50 g of sugar in one liter of water. Stir everything well. Then add the water kefir crystals.

Now close the fermentation vessel until the first slight resistance or just put the lid on. Then place the vessel in a warm place for about 2 days.

Once the crystals are transparent and have absorbed all the water, you can carefully separate the crystals from the sugar water.

Instead of household sugar you can Agave syrup* or Coconut blossom sugar* take. With Birch sugar* and Erythritol* The crystals need the sweetness from agave or coconut blossom in order to work.

Tips for making healthy water kefir

• Kefir cultures are very sensitive. We therefore recommend that you clean the utensils used, there should be no residues of detergent. In addition, you should not use metal, because the kefir cultures do not like that at all!
• Use only untreated and unsulfured dried fruit! This is the only way the crystals can get the nitrogen they need for fermentation from the dried fruit.
• Basically, a fermentation time of 2 days is recommended, but it depends on your personal taste how long you let the healthy water kefir ferment. From day to day, the water kefir becomes less sweet and more sour.

Perfect for those with a sweet tooth: Whipped Cocoa!

How you can refine water kefir healthy

Apart from the standard ingredients you need to make water kefir, you can go all out and refine the drink to your taste.

So you can use different dried fruits for different flavors. Or you can mix the water kefir with juices. Currant juice or lime juice are particularly refreshing. You can also add pureed fruit.

Water kefir also tastes delicious with tea. You can brew a fruit tea or green tea of your choice, let it cool down and add it to the water kefir together with fresh fruit.

Fresh herbs, such as lemon balm or mint, or pieces of ginger harmonize with the healthy water kefir just the same! There are no limits to creativity and good taste.

What does water kefir taste like?

We have of course made ourselves smart on the Internet and studied many different articles on the subject of water kefir. The taste was always described as sweet and slightly sour.

After my own test, I can say: water kefir tastes very refreshing, but a bit unusual at the first sip. A fermented drink is not everyday, so I am surprised. However, the water kefir reminds a little of a sour apple spritzer! Also, the intensity of the taste is much higher than I imagined. But the water kefir is definitely enjoyable and definitely once to try!

Tip: With sparkling water and a dash of lemon or a slice of orange, the taste comes out even better!

Our conclusion

Water kefir - the healthy trend drink of the summer? After reading everywhere about the great and health-promoting effects of the drink, we had to do the test ourselves and prepare our own water kefir.

And we have to say: it tastes good! An iced glass of water kefir on a hot summer day is definitely worth a taste. Convince yourself and put on your water kefir today!

Enjoy it!

To browse further:

• Can healing clay help you with diarrhea? Find out!
• Are sleep disorders normal during the menopause? Find out!
• Can selenium help with hair loss? I'll tell you!

* Advertising & affiliate links: Our website is financed by advertising and affiliate links. As a partner of linked stores (e.g. Amazon) we earn from qualified sales.
Read more