Greek yogurt vs kefir: differences and advantages of two fermented milk products

That, who consume enough probiotic food daily, does something good for your intestinal flora and general well-being. As an alternative to natural yogurt and buttermilk, Greek yogurt and fermented milk drink kefir are becoming more and more popular.. Both are considered useful, easily digestible and tasty. Greek yogurt and kefir really don't need to compete., but there are some differences and advantages between the two products.

What is Greek yogurt?

Unlike natural yogurt, Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier. Besides, it is less acidic and therefore has a much milder taste. Just like natural yogurt, It is the live microorganisms of lactic acid bacteria that make Greek yogurt a probiotic food.. However, other strains of bacteria are used in Greek yogurt., than natural yogurt, so "Greek-style yogurt" usually does not correspond to real Greek yogurt. That fact, that the Greek version is more creamy, can be explained by, that excess whey protein is removed. Unlike natural yogurt, much more milk is used to produce the same amount of yogurt. About 1 liter of Greek yogurt comes out of 4 liters of milk.. Creamy consistency, higher fat content, twice as much protein and few carbohydrates - the result of this process.

Greek yogurt and its benefits

Due to its low carbohydrate content and, what is the fat in greek yogurt “good”, it is a good choice for diet, aware of the figure. Compared to other yogurts, Greek yogurt contains more lactic acid bacteria., so there is a high probability, that they enter the intestines, to keep things in order. When consumed regularly, they provide greater well-being and improved health.. Greek yogurt can be used in many ways. Greek yogurt is great for muesli breakfast, in its purest form. Greek yogurt with nuts and bananas is a great snack, which supports the ability to focus on long meetings, exams, tournaments, etc.. Greek yogurt, also used to make tzatziki sauce, as a salad dressing or even as a meat substitute with less fat, ideal for strengthening our health.

What is kefir?

Unlike Greek yogurt, kefir is much more liquid and less creamy. It is usually made from cow, sheep or goat milk and differs from yogurt mainly due to kefir strains of lactic acid bacteria. Kefir contains not only lactic acid bacteria, but also yeast, lactic acid producing, alcohol and carbon dioxide. After the introduction of lactic acid bacteria, they remain in milk 24 to 48 hours, for yeast and lactic acid cultures to multiply and ferment lactose. Although kefir tastes like buttermilk, due to yeast and acetic acid bacteria, contained therein, as well as the process, mentioned above, kefir has some carbon dioxide, what creates a unique, a little tart, tingling taste of sour milk drink.

Kefir and its benefits

Compared to yogurt, kefir contains a higher number of live microorganisms.. Besides, it's not just lactic acid bacteria, but also yeast strains, beneficial for the intestines. Kefir is also especially suitable for people, suffering from lactose intolerance, as it contains almost no lactose. The high folic acid content makes it a particularly healthy food for pregnant women.. Like yogurt, kefir can be used and consumed in a wide range of dishes. Kefir drinks and smoothies with fruits are delicious and refreshing, and also ideal for use in desserts, eg, as a cream or ingredient in muffins and cakes.

Comparison

And Greek yogurt, and kefir are excellent healthy and tasty sources of probiotics. Choosing a product in a supermarket, should pay attention to the high quality of the brand, since each brand uses different strains of bacteria and their number. In direct comparison, kefir contains more probiotics, and the bacteria found in kefir colonize the intestines, which means, that they multiply here and keep the intestines in order for a long period of time. For comparison, greek yogurt bacteria temporary, that is, they only survive in the gut for a short period of time. In both cases, thanks to living organisms, should take care of, that they are consumed as fresh as possible and stored in a cool place. Besides, avoid adding sugar.

Both products have a number of benefits., so one of the two cannot be left in favor of the other. They, who eats kefir and greek yogurt every day, can improve their intestinal flora in the long run, well-being and general health.