We hand picked the bacteria and good yeasts for this starter. Check out all the different benefits.
Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus delbrueckii are both in kefir grains and are powerful microbes. Leuconostoc mesenteroides is responsible for initiating the lactic acid fermentation of dairy products, sauerkrauts, and vegetables. It has been reported that Leuconostoc mesenteroides can inhibit the growth of pathogens and also prevent Avian influenza and H1N1. [1,2]
Lactobacillus delbrueckii can help the body break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off bad organisms that might cause disease. It has been used to aid digestion, prevent diarrhea, and relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. L. bulgaricus and L. lactis, which are also powerful strains and well-studied probiotic species, were shown to have highly similar DNA to L. delbrueckii, and have since been considered to be subspecies ofL. delbrueckii. [3]
Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) has long been regarded as one of the most beneficial members of the human gut microbiome. Lower levels of this beneficial bacteria have been shown in obese and diabetic individuals and in individuals taking antibiotics. Those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease have also shown lower levels of Bifidobacteria as well. B. longum also helps relieve anxiety- and depression-like behaviors.[4] B. longum can inhibit inflammation by regulating the balance of the immune system. It can improve intestinal barrier function. [5]
Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) is my favorite probiotic yeast. Not only will it make this soda super bubbly, but it also has a lot of health benefits. And, it can't be killed by antibiotics.
They have done over 53 randomized controlled clinical trials, encompassing 8,475 subjects, that investigated the safety and efficacy of S. boulardii. The studies were done in pediatric and adult patients in which they found it had an 81% efficacy rating. [6]It is now used to treat C. diff, acute diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, some parasitic forms of diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal disorders. [7,8]
S. boulardii is unrelated to the yeast Candida albicans and other Candida species. When you have Candida proliferating, it will decrease the acidity of the gut making it susceptible to harmful bacteria and yeasts. S. boulardii exerts the opposite effect producing lactic and other acids known to inhibit potentially harmful Candida yeast species. [9]
S. boulardii is absent from the natural gut since it is a transient yeast that passes through the intestines after ingestion. If taken every day, it provides a steady stream in the colon within three days and is cleared from the stools two to five days later.[10,11] It does not attach to the mucosal cell lining, but works its magic on you as it moves through the gastrointestinal tract.
When S. boulardii is present, it inhibits toxins from binding to intestinal receptors and steals the metabolites it needs to survive. Thus many pathogens pass out of the body unable to survive in the presence of this powerful probiotic. They even found that other pathogen strains like E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and S. typhi adhere to the surface of S. boulardii, thus preventing them from attaching to the mucosal lining and passing through the body rendering them harmless.
