Kefir is a fermented dairy product that is made by mixing kefir 'grains' with milk from cows, goats, sheep, or even buffalos.
Kefir "grains" are not grains at all. Instead, they are a starting culture made of bacteria and yeast that helps the kefir process.
Kefir and yogurt, which are cultured dairy products, have the most proof that they are probiotics.
Yogurt with live, active bacteria is another great source of probiotics that are good for the gut.
The bacteria in yogurt, unlike those in other fermented foods, have been shown to make it through the GI system.
This is important because germs can only affect gut health if they make it to the intestines in one piece.
Even though both natto and miso are made from fermented soybeans, they are made with different kinds of bacteria.
Also, natto is made from whole fermented soybeans, while miso is made from fermented soybeans to make a smooth paste.
Natto is often added to rice foods and soups in Japan, and it is also used to sauté veggies. Miso paste is used a lot like a spice.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is like apple juice that has been left out to go bad.
But bugs are not in all apple cider vinegars (ACV). Many AVCs are pasteurized and filtered, which are two ways that bacteria are killed or removed from the product.