Kefir for gastritis - can you drink it or not?

Will this drink help with stomach pain?

Kefir will help with stomach pain, but only if gastritis is associated with low acidity. In case of increased acidity, consumption of the product is prohibited: this provokes additional irritation of the walls of the digestive organ. In addition to increased pain, patients may experience nausea and heartburn. Taking kefir is also prohibited for erosive forms of the disease and aphthous gastritis.

If acidity levels are low, consuming fermented milk products is not prohibited. Doctors recommend drinking it before bed and in the morning. The main rule is not to consume the drink immediately after a meal, as this promotes stagnation and fermentation of food in the intestines.

For chronic forms of pathology, kefir is recommended to be included in the daily menu. If there is no exacerbation, you can add pieces of fresh berries and fruits to it.

Is it possible to have cottage cheese for gastritis?

Another recommended product for gastritis is cottage cheese, obtained by fermenting milk and then separating the whey. It contains a lot of easily digestible proteins, lactic acid bacteria, vitamins and microelements. For patients with gastritis, low-fat or low-fat cottage cheese is indicated.

Cottage cheese for hyperacid and erosive gastritis

In case of hyperacid gastritis, eating fresh cottage cheese is contraindicated. It can be included in dishes:

dumplings with cottage cheese,
cottage cheese casseroles,
souffle,
steamed cheesecakes.

For erosive gastritis, which usually occurs with high acidity, it is better not to consume fresh cottage cheese.

What beneficial properties does it have?

Kefir has more beneficial properties for the digestive system than other fermented milk products. The product consists of bacteria that:

restore intestinal microflora;
stimulate metabolism in the body;
normalize the digestion process;
block the proliferation of pathogenic flora in the digestive system;
remove toxins from the intestines;
prevent infection with tuberculosis;
suppress inflammatory processes in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract;
accelerate rehabilitation in the postoperative period;
improve blood supply to stomach tissues due to its beneficial effect on the vascular system.

Kefir is great for people who are lactose intolerant. The product is easily digestible and does not cause allergic reactions. For this reason, it can be given to children from 1 year of age with problematic bowel movements (constipation). It is useful for overweight patients to carry out fasting days with drinking a drink every 2 hours.

Over time, a product can change its characteristics. A freshly prepared drink removes toxins from the body and helps relieve constipation. Kefir aged for 2 days is recommended for use in cases of diabetes, obesity, iron deficiency in the body, and pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Three-day kefir is characterized by a strengthening effect, so it is useful to drink for people suffering from diarrhea. An aged drink is more difficult for the body to absorb, so it is contraindicated for liver and kidney diseases.

To prevent gastrointestinal pathologies, the product is consumed within a month. In case of serious problems, you should consult a doctor about taking fermented milk products.

Are there any contraindications

Kefir is not recommended for high stomach acidity. In addition, there are other contraindications to the product:

Stomach ulcer. In case of pathology, you can only consume fresh or homemade kefir. A product left for more than 1-2 days provokes an exacerbation of the ulcer.
Children's age up to 1 year. Before this age, the child may have a stomach ache due to a lack of enzymes that can break down the product. After one year, the baby is allowed to drink up to 200 ml of kefir daily.
Individual intolerance to the components of the drink. Some people experience bloating in the intestines after consuming fermented milk products.

How to drink correctly

Rules for taking kefir depend on the type of gastritis (high or low acidity).
If the indicator is elevated, then you should stop taking the drink, especially in the acute stage. Patients can only consume low-fat milk and cottage cheese. The gastroenterologist advises each patient on when to introduce fermented milk into the diet. Usually this period is 30-40 days after the signs of gastritis subside. In chronic cases of the disease, it is allowed to eat kefir. The amount of the product and the time of its administration depend on the intensity of hydrochloric acid production and clinical signs. In this case, only a gastroenterologist can determine the dosage of the product.

With increased production of hydrochloric acid, preference is given to fresh kefir (shelf life - no more than 24 hours), with a fat content of no more than 3%. Do not overuse the product, otherwise lactic acid may contribute to the recurrence of the pathology.

At low acidity, not only kefir is allowed, but also other fermented milk products - fermented baked milk, yogurt, Varenets, etc. Patients can eat unsalted cheeses and cottage cheese. Products can be consumed both fresh and thermally processed (cheesecakes, casseroles).

People suffering from low acidity will greatly benefit from aged kefir, with a shelf life of more than 2-3 days. It is important to remember that this drink can be used by those patients who do not have problems with bowel movements. If you have pathology, you can drink kefir with high fat content. It envelops the walls of the digestive organs and reduces the intensity of abdominal pain.

Useful recommendations when choosing and consuming kefir:

Preference is given to a natural product that contains kefir mushrooms. Drinks without this component have questionable benefits for the body.
Choose a product with a shorter shelf life. The longer kefir sits on the store counter, the less beneficial properties remain in it.
Drink the product at room temperature. This rule is especially important to follow for people suffering from gastritis. Cold negatively affects the condition of the stomach linings.
Eat kefir before meals or 2-3 hours after a meal. The product should be taken before bed, as calcium is better absorbed at night.
When purchasing, the choice is given to kefir with a fat content of 2-3%.

The state of exacerbation and the use of kefir

During an exacerbation, you must immediately seek qualified help from specialists so that they relieve the painful spasms that arise and can normalize the condition.

Is it possible to use kefir during exacerbation of gastritis? Along with traditional drug treatment, you should definitely follow the diet recommended by your doctor. All dairy products and kefir in particular occupy a special place in it. During the first week, kefir for gastritis at the acute stage is strictly prohibited, as are other products from this area. The patient is advised to constantly drink warm water with a few drops of lemon juice. You can also drink unsweetened tea, rosehip decoction.

After a week of a fairly strict diet, doctors allow a small amount of low-fat kefir. It is better to use the product in the morning or in the evening. After two weeks, you can return not only kefir, but also other fermented milk products, but you should not eat everything in large quantities. If you stick to this diet for a month, your stomach function will be restored.

Will this drink help with stomach pain?

For chronic forms of pathology, kefir is recommended to be included in the daily menu. If there is no exacerbation, you can add pieces of fresh berries and fruits to it.

What beneficial properties does it have?

Kefir has more beneficial properties for the digestive system than other fermented milk products. The product consists of bacteria that:

restore intestinal microflora,
stimulate metabolism in the body,
normalize the digestion process,
block the proliferation of pathogenic flora in the digestive system,
remove toxins from the intestines,
prevent infection with tuberculosis,
suppress inflammatory processes in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract,
accelerate rehabilitation in the postoperative period,
improve blood supply to stomach tissues due to its beneficial effect on the vascular system.

To prevent gastrointestinal pathologies, the product is consumed within a month. In case of serious problems, you should consult a doctor about taking fermented milk products.

Are there any contraindications

Kefir is not recommended for high stomach acidity. In addition, there are other contraindications to the product:

Stomach ulcer. In case of pathology, you can only consume fresh or homemade kefir. A product left for more than 1-2 days provokes an exacerbation of the ulcer.
Children's age up to 1 year. Before this age, the child may have a stomach ache due to a lack of enzymes that can break down the product. After one year, the baby is allowed to drink up to 200 ml of kefir daily.
Individual intolerance to the components of the drink. Some people experience bloating in the intestines after consuming fermented milk products.

Benefit or harm?

Kefir for gastritis can be both beneficial and harmful. You can drink kefir for gastritis only if you follow the following rules:

In acute forms of the disease, you can only consume low-fat fermented milk products.
For normal or low acidity levels, a one-day course of taking this product is recommended.
If you have high acidity, you should limit your consumption of kefir, as it irritates the walls of the stomach.

You should drink kefir for gastritis of any form only after consultation with a gastroenterologist.

How to drink correctly

In chronic cases of the disease, it is allowed to eat kefir. The amount of the product and the time of its administration depend on the intensity of hydrochloric acid production and clinical signs. In this case, only a gastroenterologist can determine the dosage of the product.

With increased production of hydrochloric acid, preference is given to fresh kefir (shelf life no more than 24 hours), with a fat content of no more than 3%. Do not overuse the product, otherwise lactic acid may contribute to the recurrence of the pathology.

People suffering from low acidity will greatly benefit from aged kefir that lasts for more than 2-3 days. It is important to remember that this drink can be used by those patients who do not have problems with bowel movements. If you have pathology, you can drink kefir with high fat content. It envelops the walls of the digestive organs and reduces the intensity of abdominal pain.

Useful recommendations when choosing and consuming kefir:

Preference is given to a natural product that contains kefir mushrooms. Drinks without this component have questionable benefits for the body.
Choose a product with a shorter shelf life. The longer kefir sits on the store counter, the less beneficial properties remain in it.
Drink the product at room temperature. This rule is especially important to follow for people suffering from gastritis. Cold negatively affects the condition of the stomach linings.
Eat kefir before meals or 2-3 hours after a meal. The product should be taken before bed, as calcium is better absorbed at night.
When purchasing, the choice is given to kefir with a fat content of 2-3%.

What kind, how and how much kefir to drink?

Regular consumption of kefir benefits the entire body. If gastritis is likely to occur, it is recommended to drink it for preventive purposes. But you need to choose and use kefir wisely in order to get the maximum benefit from it. An acidic drink can upset the delicate balance of the stomach.

Choose only natural products that are fermented with kefir mushrooms. A cheap analogue, kefir drink, does not contain a large amount of useful microelements and has dubious benefits.
The shorter the production time of kefir, the more nutrients it contains . By the end of the shelf life, their percentage becomes minimal. Therefore, the best option is to use one-day or three-day kefir.
You should only drink the drink at room temperature . This rule applies not only to those suffering from gastritis, but also to those who are not familiar with this disease. Cold irritates the lining of the stomach.
You can consume kefir at any time of the day. It is better to do this on an empty stomach or before meals. Kefir should be drunk at night several hours before bedtime; it has a diuretic effect. The drink will improve sleep and improve the microflora of the stomach. Taking fermented milk at night is also important because it is at night that calcium (which kefir is rich in) is better absorbed by the body.
Full-fat kefir has enveloping properties ; you need to choose a drink with a fat content of 2 to 3%, it contains the maximum benefits.
Kefir can cause diarrhea , so it is not recommended to drink it in large quantities; one glass before meals is enough. If the problem persists, then you should give up the drink for a while.
You can add a variety of ingredients to kefir: berries, syrups and jam . If the acidity is low, you can add a spoonful of honey.

Characteristics of the disease

The gastric mucosa can become inflamed for various reasons. This may be irregular eating, dieting, dry food, frequent stress or infectious diseases. Gastritis can develop as a complication after food poisoning or intestinal infection. In this case, the inflammation gradually progresses and without treatment can lead to a stomach ulcer. Therefore, it is very important to follow a proper diet so as not to provoke exacerbations.

Features of the diet depend on the severity of the pathology and its type. Gastritis may be accompanied by increased acidity of gastric juice or its decrease. These are different diseases that require special treatment. When acidity increases, abdominal pain is often observed, worsening in the absence of food, heartburn, increased appetite, and diarrhea. Gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice is accompanied by nausea, constipation, heaviness after eating, and loss of appetite. But in order to accurately determine the type of disease, it is necessary to undergo tests and undergo probing.

Often, exacerbation of gastritis is triggered by the consumption of certain foods. It is especially harmful to eat fatty or spicy foods, canned food, marinades, and smoked foods during inflammatory processes in the gastric mucosa. Exacerbation of the disease can be caused by drinking alcohol or carbonated drinks, eating too cold or hot food. If acidity increases, it is not recommended to eat acidic foods.

For gastritis of any type, you need to eat according to certain rules:

you need to eat in small portions, at least 3 times a day;
all food should be warm;
foods need to be boiled or stewed; it is undesirable to eat fried foods;
You need to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day.

It is often recommended to drink kefir for gastritis. This product is believed to help improve digestion. But you can’t always use it; in addition, not every drink called kefir will be useful for an inflamed stomach. Its incorrect choice and use can only harm your health.

Kefir for high acidity

In cases where the disease occurs with high production of digestive juice, doctors recommend limiting the use of sour kefir.

It is not possible to determine the acidity level on your own; only a gastroenterologist can do this by conducting special tests, as well as due to the expression of symptoms such as loss of appetite, belching, severe heartburn and the appearance of a characteristic rumbling in the stomach.

For those who have been diagnosed with gastritis with a high content of hydrochloric acid, it is best to reduce any fermented milk products to a minimum. This is explained by the fact that their influence can further irritate the walls of the affected organ, which can result in unpleasant symptoms in the form of severe pain and discomfort. That is why kefir is strictly prohibited for erosive gastritis. In addition, such a drink can cause a fermentation process, which only aggravates the course of the disease.

It follows from this that whether kefir can be used for gastritis with high secretion of acidic contents is decided only by the attending physician. Since the body must receive the nutrients contained in this drink, specialists may prescribe the consumption of kefir for one or two days.

The benefits of this drink

Kefir is a unique fermented milk product. It is made from milk using a starter culture of lactic acid fungi. It consists of 20 types of beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which naturally inhabit the human intestines. Sourdough contains a lot of lactic acid bacteria, which have a positive effect on digestion. The rich composition of this drink makes it useful for people of any age. In addition to beneficial bacteria, kefir contains calcium, phosphorus, vitamins B and A, folic acid, zinc, enzymes, essential amino acids, natural sugars, and lactic acids.

Thanks to this composition, it is considered the most useful fermented milk product, recommended for consumption even by young children and people with chronic gastrointestinal pathologies. It has the following beneficial effects on the body:

improves digestion and appetite;
stops the processes of rotting and fermentation;
increases the body's defenses;
improves metabolic processes;
calms nerves and improves sleep;
normalizes intestinal microflora;
It is easily digestible and does not create a burden on the digestive system.

Natural kefir has many beneficial properties

Useful properties of kefir for the gastrointestinal tract

Kefir is useful not only for those suffering from diseases of the digestive system. To improve the functioning of the whole body, it is recommended to drink it for both children and adults.

It is perfect for a light snack and is indispensable in medical and dietary nutrition. Its benefits are due to the high content of vitamins A, B, D; microelements important for the body: calcium, phosphorus and potassium.

Kefir is beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract due to its high content of lactobacilli and prebiotics, which have a strengthening effect on the entire system as a whole . Kefir accelerates metabolic processes, eliminates the processes of fermentation and putrefaction in the stomach, in some cases speeds up metabolism, in others it has a fixing effect.

Possible harm

But not everyone benefits from consuming kefir. This drink can also be harmful. First of all, it contains, albeit in minimal quantities, ethyl alcohol. Moreover, if the kefir sits, this amount may increase. Therefore, it is not advisable for infants and women to drink it during pregnancy.

Natural kefir, which contains no additional components other than milk and sourdough, is useful for digestion. But recently, kefir drink is often sold. It does not have the beneficial qualities of natural kefir.

The properties of this drink vary depending on the characteristics of its preparation, aging time, and fat content. For example, a fresh product speeds up metabolic processes and acts as a laxative. As the drink sits, even in the refrigerator, its properties change. Already three days of kefir can lead to constipation; it becomes more and more acidic. And the higher the fat content of the drink, the better its effect on the gastric mucosa, enveloping it and protecting it.

About the benefits of kefir

Kefir contains vitamins A and B.

Why do doctors recommend relying on kefir for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract from many dairy products? The fact is that this drink contains many useful substances:

vitamins of groups A and B;
calcium, potassium, phosphorus and other essential microelements;
lactobacilli, which have an antibacterial effect and have a beneficial effect on the condition of the intestines, as well as on the immune system in general.

Interestingly, the unique properties of kefir may change depending on the time the product is stored in the refrigerator. A fresh drink can help speed up your metabolism. Infused, on the contrary, has a “fixing” effect.

When introducing kefir into your daily diet, you need to take all these points into account. It is equally important, however, to pay attention to the fat content of the product consumed. For example, it is known that only fatty kefir has enveloping properties.

Rules of use

Kefir is considered a healthy drink, but for patients with gastritis there are certain restrictions on its use. You shouldn’t get carried away if this drink is one of your favorite foods, but if you don’t like it, you don’t need to force yourself.

For the drink to be truly beneficial, you need to follow certain rules:

What not to eat with chronic gastritis

Even if the doctor has approved the use of kefir, it should be abandoned if gastritis worsens. Contraindications also include diarrhea and lactose intolerance.
Patients with gastritis can only consume natural kefir. Its shelf life can be from 5 to 14 days; the one that is stored longer is no longer so useful.
It is not advisable to drink kefir from the refrigerator. You need to warm it at room temperature or in warm water. You cannot heat the drink above 40 degrees, as all lactic acid bacteria will die.
It is better to drink kefir half an hour before meals or at night. At the same time, it is more fully absorbed, calms the nervous system and normalizes sleep.
You can drink no more than 200-400 ml of kefir per day, even during remission. In this case, it is better to choose one with a fat content of 2-3%.

Features of use

For gastritis with low acidity, it is sometimes recommended to follow a kefir diet. It helps normalize digestion and speed up the restoration of the mucous membrane. Following a diet helps improve intestinal function, relieve pain and strengthen the immune system. But it can only be used after consulting a doctor. The kefir diet consists only of this drink. It should be drunk up to 5 times a day, 200-500 ml. Only fresh natural kefir is suitable for the diet. You can follow it for 3-5 days.

During remission, you can undergo the following treatment course for a week: every day before bed, drink a glass of one-day-old kefir mixed with a tablespoon of unrefined olive oil. This remedy will help normalize the functioning of the stomach and prevent exacerbation of gastritis. Cocktails made from kefir with sea buckthorn or black currant also have medicinal properties; they stimulate the healing of the mucous membrane.

If acidity is low, then during remission it is recommended to drink this drink daily. It will help improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and normalize intestinal function. It is useful when mixed with sugar, berries, and nuts. For atrophic gastritis, it is useful to eat a dish for breakfast that includes kefir and buckwheat. To do this, pour the cereal into the drink overnight and put it in the refrigerator. In the morning, a healthy dish will be ready. For taste, you can add sugar, nuts, jam, berries, or eat it as is.

Homemade kefir is also useful. To prepare it you only need milk and kefir starter. But instead, you can use high-quality store-bought kefir. The milk needs to be boiled and cooled. Then mix 900 ml with 100 ml of starter and add 2 tablespoons of sugar. The mixture should stand for a day at room temperature, then 4 hours in the refrigerator.

Kefir can, and often even needs to be consumed for chronic gastritis. The main thing is to do it correctly, remembering to consult a doctor.

Kefir for gastritis - is it possible or not?

Inflammatory processes in the gastric mucosa can have both an acute and chronic course. Their occurrence is provoked by poor diet, frequent stress, and bad habits (smoking, alcohol).

Following a diet helps improve your health and restore the functioning of your gastrointestinal tract. Kefir is approved by gastroenterologists in most cases of gastritis, especially with low acidity and in remission of the chronic form of the disease.

Due to its valuable composition and low calorie content, the product is dietary, easily digested and creates an optimal pH environment in the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Today, store windows are replete with a wide variety of fermented milk drinks, which are similar to kefir in name, but are fake: they are more tempting for the consumer’s wallet due to their low cost, but are made from synthetic substitutes - these are kefir drinks. They do not benefit the patient.

You should only buy a natural, fresh product made from whole milk with the addition of a special yeast starter.

Biokefir - lacto- and bifidobacteria added to fermented milk mass - also has a beneficial effect on the body, especially with symptoms of dysbiosis.

The drink must be natural, so the shelf life of such a product is always limited and does not exceed ten days (after purchase, it is not recommended to store it in the refrigerator for more than three days).

Long shelf life - 14 days or more - always indicates the addition of a large number of preservatives. The use of such “chemicals” can negatively affect the functioning of a diseased stomach.

The benefits of kefir lie in its composition, which includes:

Vitamins of group B (B1, B2, B6, B12), PP, A
Microelements: iodine, copper, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, fluorine
Lacto-, biphyobacteria
Enzymes that improve digestion

Also contains protein, a small amount of fat, carbohydrates. The calorie content per 100 grams, depending on the fat content, ranges from 30 to 55 kcal, which makes it possible to classify the drink as low-calorie.

You shouldn't expect extra centimeters on your waist from drinking a glass every night at night.

This healthy drink will be beneficial for gastritis with low acidity. It helps normalize the pH, and if it decreases, it “acidifies” the contents and facilitates digestion.

It is especially useful for meat lovers to consume it: the alkaline environment created by meat products is perfectly leveled by fermented milk.

Beneficial bacteria fight and destroy colonies of pathogens and conditional pathogens that have grown in an alkaline environment. In addition to facilitating the digestion of food in a hypoacid state (low pH), kefir has:

Immunomodulatory activity - increases local immune defense
Antioxidant effect – fights the formation of radical elements, neutralizes toxins
Correction of metabolic processes - improves metabolism, promotes weight loss
Relaxing effect - it has been proven that regular drinking of a glass at night improves sleep and reduces anxiety

Gastroenterologists recommend drinking 150-200 ml of kefir daily on an empty stomach or at night during the stage of remission or mild inflammation with gastritis with reduced acidity.

In hypoacid conditions, doctors recommend drinking the infused one within 2-3 days from the date of release, since it has greater acidity, which is so necessary for alkalizing the gastric contents.

For “sourness”, which will be beneficial at low pH, you can add fresh berries to the glass before drinking. This will improve the organoleptic properties of the resulting cocktail.

The infused drink has a fastening effect, and if you are prone to constipation, you should be careful when drinking it.