And like yoghurt, kefir seems to have probiotic effects, enhancing the populations of beneficial bacteria in the gut, and inhibit the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. According to a new study on mice, milk kefir and soymilk kefir significantly increased the fecal populations of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, while it significantly decreased those of Clostridium perfringens.

Additionally, data suggest that kefir may also help prevent food allergies, by inhibiting the allergen specific antibody Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is responsible for the release of histamine, a chemical which stimulates allergic responses, such as inflammation and constriction of airways.

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Probiotic and Anti-Allergenic Properties of Kefir

According to the results, soy protein supplementation helps lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL, bad cholesterol), and triglycerides, but slightly increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL, good cholesterol).

These results indicate that soy protein supplementation reduces serum lipids among adults with or without hypercholesterolemia. In conclusion, replacing foods high in saturated fat, trans-saturated fat, and cholesterol with soy protein may have a beneficial effect on coronary risk factors.

What soy products can you incorporate in your diet?

Well, there’s tofu and soymilk. Soy protein is also used a lot as a vegetarian alternative to meat. There are also tofu-based desserts, such as Pete’s Tofu2Go. I grew up snacking on tofu-and-caramelized-sugar made by local cottage industries where I used to live, but I haven’t tried these fancy flavored ones. You’ll probably have to try and see what soy product suits your taste.

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Soy Protein Improves CardioVascular Health