Is Kefir Vegan? Everything You Need to Know
Is kefir vegan? The fermented drink made from kefir grains is typically made with milk taken from animals, but there’s a vegan version that offers a bounty of health benefits. Read on for everything you need to know about vegan kefir.
What Is Kefir?
Kefir is a fermented drink made using kefir “grains” (a mix of bacteria and yeast) to culture a sugary liquid.
Do You Need Dairy to Make Kefir?
No! You can enjoy vegan kefir’s gut-healthy benefits without supporting the dairy industry.
Just like humans, cows, goats, and sheep only produce milk to feed their babies. Workers tear calves and lambs from their mothers shortly after birth on dairy farms. Some mother cows have been heard calling for their calves for days after these traumatic separations occur.
Vegan milks, like coconut and cashew milk, can be used to make creamy, gut-boosting, animal-free kefir, or you can enjoy a refreshing glass of water kefir.
Water Kefir Is Vegan and Full of Probiotics
Tibicos, commonly called “water kefir,” is made by fermenting sugar water or coconut water with kefir grains. It’s 100% vegan, fizzy, slightly sweet, and packed with gut-friendly probiotics—much like kombucha. Plus, water kefir is easier for your body to digest than kefir made from animals’ milk!
What Does Water Kefir Do for You?
- May support a healthy gut biome because water kefir is full of beneficial bacteria
- Can boost digestion
- Could help protect the body against free radicals with antioxidants
- Is reported to help strengthen the immune system
Vegan Kefir Brands to Try
If you’re ready to give your gut a boost without harming animals, check out these vegan kefir brands:
Forager Project makes drinkable cashew-based yogurts fermented with a specific blend of 10 probiotics that deliver amazing taste, a creamy texture, and bountiful digestive benefits.
GT’s Living Foods Agua de Kefir products come in four desert-inspired flavors and are sold in several grocery stores like Trader Joe’s.
Kevita Sparkling Probiotic Drinks are widely available and come in various fruity flavors.
The Water Kefir People make organic, small-batch water kefir.
Go Vegan for Animals and Your Health
Choosing vegan products like water kefir and creamy vegan kefir is the best thing you can do for animals, your body, and the planet. Each person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals per year. Plus, eating vegan can reduce the risk of suffering from many including heart disease, cancer, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. To kick-start your vegan journey, join PETA’s 3-week vegan challenge today.
Text VEG to 73822 to get the latest vegan lifestyle tips, recipes, and urgent action alerts texted right to your phone.
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