Kefir drink may aid Alzheimer's symptoms and cognition

A new study suggests that a 55p superfood drink, kefir, could help in fighting Alzheimer's disease. The drink is rich in probiotics and has shown promise in improving symptoms related to Alzheimer’s. The findings were published in the journal Brain Behaviour and Immunity Integrative. Kefir is a fermented milk drink known for its gut health benefits. Researchers analyzed seven studies, including one with human participants, to see how kefir might also help the brain. The study mentioned that probiotics like those found in kefir could reduce inflammation and toxic proteins in the brain, which are linked to Alzheimer’s. The review showed positive results from kefir in both animal models and human trials. In animal studies, it reduced brain damage and inflammation. In the human study, participants who consumed kefir showed lower levels of harmful proteins and improved memory. They used a standard test, the Mini-Mental State Examination, to measure cognitive abilities before and after the kefir intake. In the human trial, conducted over 90 days with 13 participants, there was a significant improvement in memory tests and cognitive scores. Participants took a daily dose of 2ml of kefir for each kilogram of their body weight. By the end, they had a 66% improvement in memory and better inflammatory markers. While the study’s findings are promising for using kefir as a complementary treatment for Alzheimer’s, researchers noted that not all studies had similar results. This indicates that more research in humans is necessary to confirm these benefits. Currently, one liter of kefir costs £2.20, making it an affordable option for consumers looking to improve their health.