Difference Between Kefir and Yogurt: Which one Offers More Health Benefits?
Both kefir and yogurt comprise good bacteria or probiotics that offer immense health benefits. However, they are different in many ways, including their nutritional value:
Nutritional Value
A cup of whole milk kefir has 160 calories. Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, D, K2, nicotinic acid, and folic acid are some important nutrients present in it.
A cup of white milk yogurt has 130 calories. It is rich in Riboflavin, B6, and B12.
Bacteria
Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Caucasus, bulgaricus, Leuconostoc, Streptococcus species, and Acetobacter species are some of the good bacteria in kefir.
Whereas acidophilus and bulgaricus are the two main good bacteria in yogurt.
The bacteria in yogurt are known as transient bacteria; they are quite helpful for the intestines but don’t stay long. On the other hand, the bacteria present in kefir stays in the gut and multiplies in the intestinal tract, continuously offering health benefits.
Incubation
Mesophilic process, which happens at room temperature, is used to make kefir culture.
On the other hand, yogurt cultures are made using thermophilic incubation, which is gradual warming.
Taste and Texture
You can drink kefir from a glass. It has a smooth and runny texture. Yogurt, on the other hand, is thick, and you need a spoon to scoop and consume it.
Kefir is more potent as it has more bacteria and good yeast and tastes a bit sour. In fact, it does taste a bit like alcohol. Yogurt isn’t as sour and doesn’t have any yeast taste.
Kefir offers three times more probiotics than yogurt, making it a better probiotic drink than yogurt.