Glycemic index of kefir. Benefits, harms and norms for the use of the product
Glycemic index of kefir. Benefits, harms and norms for the use of the product
Anonim

Quite often, he althy people simply don't ask what the GI of different foods is. However, in cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, it is very important to know exactly what glycemic index kefir and other fermented milk products have so that you can create a suitable diet. Focusing on this indicator, you can easily avoid an increase in blood glucose levels, preventing the complication of the disease. From this article, you can find out exactly what the glycemic index of kefir of varying degrees of fat content, as well as the benefits of this drink.

What is a GI?

A glass of kefir
A glass of kefir

Before you start to find out exactly what the glycemic index of low-fat kefir, like all other types of this fermented milk product, is to find out what this index is.

Today, it is understood as the indicator that displays how much the product that a person consumes is able to increase blood sugar levels. That is why for diabetics, who should be closely monitoredthis parameter, it is so important to know it.

However, in addition, GI is now actively used in the preparation of effective weight loss diets. It has been found that foods with high levels of it are fast carbohydrates that lead to weight gain. If you have decided to lose a few pounds, knowing the glycemic index of kefir of different fat content will be very useful, since this product is one of the most popular among those who lose weight.

Is kefir allowed for diabetics?

The benefits of kefir
The benefits of kefir

As scientists have found out, the glycemic index of 1% kefir, like more fat, is quite low, so this product is very useful for use in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If you look closely at any diet for patients with a "sweet" disease, you will notice that they actively use fermented milk products. In fact, nutritionists believe that kefir not only does not increase blood glucose levels, but is able to lower it. This is due to the fact that lactic acid bacteria contribute to the activation of the production of the hormone insulin. So if you have a disease, you can drink this drink with peace of mind and not worry about what kind of blood sugar level. Just remember: if you intend to take tests for sugar, then you must exclude it from the diet the day before the procedure, as it can affect the result.

GI

Milk products
Milk products

Now about the exact glycemic index of kefir 3.2%, 2.5%, 1% and low fat. Costsnote that it practically does not fluctuate depending on this indicator. So:

  1. The glycemic index of kefir 3, 2 fat is 15 units. This indicator is average in relation to fermented milk products. It is similar to the indicator of fermented baked milk.
  2. The glycemic index of kefir is 1-2, 5% fat is the same. It is equal to 15 units. Such a drink will be useful for both losing weight people and diabetics.

According to the existing rules, it is useful to eat foods whose GI is less than 50 units, so you can safely consume kefir in a normal amount without fear of deterioration in he alth.

Nutritional value

Shop kefir
Shop kefir

In addition to the glycemic index of kefir, it is quite important to know what kind of calorie content this product has. This indicator for the drink is quite small: only 30-50 Kcal per 100 grams of the product, depending on its fat content. In addition, with a small amount of calories, kefir has a truly huge nutritional composition, which includes a variety of vitamins and minerals that are so useful for the human body and necessary for normal life.

Chemical composition

As mentioned earlier, in addition to the low glycemic index of kefir of 2.5% fat, this drink is of great value among diabetics due to its well-chosen and varied composition. In it you can find vitamins of group D, which are so useful for the body, which help the body absorb calcium, which strengthens bones. This mineralincredibly important in the presence of type 1 diabetes, since in this disease quite often an accompanying symptom is susceptibility to fractures and their long treatment due to improper metabolism.

Besides this, you can find other incredibly useful vitamins in it: A, PP, C, group B and H. Among the minerals, calcium, potassium and iron stand out.

Useful properties of kefir

woman drinking kefir
woman drinking kefir

Kefir is an incredibly he althy product that works especially well if you are overweight. As you know, it provokes the production of gastric juice, so the digestive tract begins to work at a faster pace. That is why so often nutritionists advise drinking a glass of kefir after dinner, in order not only to nourish the body, but also not to burden the digestive tract.

In addition, kefir contains a fairly large amount of animal proteins, which the body absorbs more easily than those found in meat or fish. This happens due to the fact that the drink contains a yeast environment, which helps the work of B vitamins and amino acids involved in protein metabolism.

All this leads to the fact that regular consumption of one glass of yogurt a day improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, speeds up metabolism and strengthens bones. Scientists also found that the drink has the ability to cleanse the body of harmful decay products, that is, toxins and toxins.

The benefits of kefir for diabetics

Wellness with kefir
Wellness with kefir

In the presence of type 2 diabetes - especially for a long time - it is quite common for disorders in the liver and gallbladder to begin to appear. It is in this case that it will be very useful to start drinking kefir constantly, since this product can be an excellent replacement for therapy for these diseases. In addition, it helps to normalize the work of the cardiovascular system, strengthening the exhausted muscle.

And of course, we must not forget that kefir is able to lower the blood sugar level even if it is extremely high. Now in folk medicine you can find several recipes for kefir-based drinks that help overcome diabetes and affect the body's resistance to insulin.

Contraindications and harm

Despite the fact that the glycemic index of kefir "Biobalance", "Prostokvashino" and other dairy brands is quite low, this does not mean at all that it can be consumed by everyone. Although there are not so many contraindications for the drink, they still exist, and therefore, if they are present, it is worth refusing to use the popular fermented milk product. In no case should you drink kefir if there are problems associated with increased acidity of the stomach. This will not only not help to cope with diabetes, but also cause intestinal upset. It should also be used very carefully during pregnancy, since it is impossible to accurately predict how the body may react to a fermented milk product in the presence of a fetus and diabetes mellitus together.

Usage rules

fresh kefir
fresh kefir

Despite the fact that kefir has been distributed throughout Russia for several centuries, a fairly small number of people know how to properly consume this drink. To fully experience the whole gamut of taste, you should adhere to the following rules:

  1. Drink the drink should be warm, about room temperature. Too warm or cold kefir loses that special sourness that made it so popular. To achieve the desired temperature, you just need to take the product out of the refrigerator about half an hour before consumption.
  2. The daily dose of yogurt for a normal person should not exceed 500 ml. It is best to divide it into 2 parts, drinking a glass in the morning and evening before going to bed. So, you can have the best effect on the stomach by activating its work.
  3. For many people, kefir seems rather sour, and therefore they add sugar to soften the taste. In no case should people with diabetes do this: it will greatly increase the glycemic index, making kefir unhe althy for them.
  4. For diabetics, doctors often recommend mixing kefir with other foods. The most popular are buckwheat, cinnamon, apple and ginger. Before adding them to the diet, you should definitely consult with your doctor to find out all the possible consequences.

Final part

Now in any large hypermarket you can easily find shelves with he althy food, which is recommended for diabetics. However, kefir is often impossible to find there, since the glycemic index ispackaging, as a rule, is not prescribed. However, you should know that this drink is quite low, and therefore, if consumed in the prescribed amount, it will help reduce blood sugar levels and will not cause absolutely any harm to the figure.

So you can safely choose a quality product of any fat content in the store, it will still have a glycemic index of less than 50. However, you should remember that you cannot replace water with kefir (despite the fact that they are liquids). With diabetes, it is very important to maintain the correct water balance, that is, drink at least 2 liters of pure non-carbonated water per day.

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