The benefits and harms of kumis for the body

The benefits and harms of kumis have been a topic for medical research for more than one hundred years. What determines the healing properties of the drink and why is it called the elixir of longevity and youth?

Kumis is widely used in the East as a food product with medicinal properties. In areas where the drink is popular, it is made from the milk of mares or camels. It is believed that such a drink not only refreshes and tones up, but gives strength, heals from diseases, and strengthens the body. The benefits and harms of kumis have been carefully studied by physicians and biologists. On the basis of scientific research, a treatment system called "kumisotherapy" was developed. The article will help you figure out who will benefit from kumis, and when it can harm.

What is this drink

Kumis is a lactic acid fermentation product, like kefir or curdled milk... For the preparation of a medicinal drink, horse milk is often used, which is better absorbed by the body. The benefits of such a healing agent are rated higher. In the traditions of some peoples, milk of goats or cows is used for fermentation.

Alcohol is formed as a result of a reaction in the presence of yeast bacteria and sugar. The longer the milk is aged, the higher the alcohol percentage. On average, the alcohol content ranges from 0.2 to 2.5%, but an invigorating drink will not harm your health if taken in moderate doses. The taste of kumis is sweet and sour, with a pleasant pungency. A special feature is the presence of carbon dioxide in the liquid, which is formed during prolonged fermentation.

Composition and calorie content of koumiss

Healing drink consists of easily digestible protein, animal fats and carbohydrates, as well as beneficial trace elements, including:

• calcium;
• copper;
• potassium;
• manganese;
• sodium;
• iron;
• phosphorus;
• sulfur;
• zinc.

The refreshing elixir contains useful substances necessary for a person, including B vitamins, retinol, beta-carotene, tocopherol.

Why is kumis useful?

Avicenna, who was well aware of the beneficial properties of medicinal drinking, began to use kumis for medicinal purposes. The healer recommended a remedy for restoring strength, with vitamin deficiency, physical exhaustion, and nervous diseases.

Modern medicine has adopted the experience of past generations. In the course of studying the benefits of horse kumis, it was found that the agent regulates metabolism, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, normalizes the secretion of gastric juice, and benefits the intestines, improving peristalsis. The beneficial properties of kumis for the liver are explained by the presence of choline (B4), which accelerates regeneration and normalizes the process of lipid metabolism.

Regular use of the drug improves the leukocyte blood count, increases the hemoglobin content. Due to its bactericidal properties, kumis is considered useful for diseases such as:

• acute intestinal infections;
• gastritis;
• furunculosis;
• tuberculosis.

The benefits of kumis for the human body are confirmed by studies that have established that the liquid rich in vitamins helps to heal certain types of heart ailments, and leads to normal blood pressure.

For women

A useful elixir made from horse milk is used in gynecology. The tool is used in the treatment of vaginal dysbiosis. After the course reception, the state of the microflora improves, the general hormonal background returns to normal.

The benefits of kumis for women are due to its rich vitamin and mineral composition, which helps to improve complexion, relieve puffiness, and lose weight.

Toxic goiter is an ailment that often affects the fairer sex. An overactive thyroid gland negatively affects the central nervous system. A person becomes irritable, quick-tempered, whiny. The beneficial properties of kumis for goiter are explained by the relaxing effect due to a small percentage of alcohol, as well as the presence of B-group vitamins.

For men

The benefits of kumiss from mare's milk for men are due to the presence of the hormone testosterone, which is responsible for libido. Thanks to him, the duration and quality of intercourse increases. The beneficial substances in the fermented milk mixture increase the elasticity of blood vessels, and accordingly, blood circulation improves, due to which an erection becomes full. Such therapy is especially important for the stronger sex over 40 years old. The benefit of kumis for younger men is that the refreshing elixir improves sperm composition. This promotes healthy offspring.

For pregnant and nursing

Low hemoglobin levels are a problem for many pregnant women. This condition is dangerous for the expectant mother and fetus. Kumis contains a large amount of iron, therefore it is suitable for the prevention of anemia. A healthy elixir made from mare's milk contains calcium, which is higher here than in cottage cheese. This trace element is necessary for pregnant women, as it actively participates in the formation of the baby's bones. A small content of ethyl alcohol is not dangerous for the fetus, but in the first weeks of pregnancy it is better to refrain from taking a healthy drink.

Regular consumption of a small amount of kumis will be beneficial for a nursing mother. Toning drink helps to increase lactation, restore the female body weakened after childbirth. The rich mineral composition of the drink will benefit the skin and hair, which need special care during this period.

Is it possible to give kumis to children

A healthy drink can be consumed by a child from the age of one. It will not harm a healthy baby. Kumis contains all vitamins and microelements necessary for full development.

• The remedy has a calming effect on the nervous system, which is important for hyperactive babies.
• The unique properties of mare's milk, which contains easily digestible proteins, makes the product useful for children with underweight.
• The healing potion does not cause skin reactions, therefore it is safe for allergy sufferers.

Babies do not always like the taste of a healthy fermented milk product. So that the child does not refuse, the drink can be prepared with the addition of juice, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, honey with cream.

The benefits of kumis for weight loss

A refreshing drink made from cow's or mare's milk will help your diet.

• It has laxative properties and is good at removing excess fluid from the body.
• The product contains healthy animal protein necessary to maintain muscle tone.
• Kumis, drunk before a meal, gives a feeling of fullness by filling the stomach.
• The drug regulates lipid metabolism, speeds up metabolism, provides the person losing weight with missing nutrients, the lack of which can cause significant harm to the body.

How to drink kumis correctly

You need to consume kumis in reasonable quantities, given that only a freshly prepared product is beneficial. Residents of Central Asia drink several liters of useful liquid without any particular harm to their health, but an organism that is not accustomed to such a dish may have a negative reaction.

Patients are given small doses at first. Start with half a glass before meals. Gradually, the portion size is increased to 200 ml, then adjusted to 0.5 liters per day.

It is not customary to drink kumis cold, it should be at room temperature. It is undesirable to take a healthy drink before bedtime, in this case it will have an exciting effect.

The use of kumis in home cosmetology

In the East, kumis is called the elixir of youth. Asian beauties use its beneficial properties to maintain the beauty of hair and skin. The fermented milk mixture helps to get rid of many problems, including sagging skin, acne, early wrinkles.

For hair

• The rich mineral and vitamin composition of the drug nourishes the hair follicles, providing curls with beauty and strength.
• Thanks to its antibacterial and moisturizing effect, kumis also benefits the scalp, helping to eliminate oily and dry dandruff.
• The liquid is used as a rinse to add shine to the strands and make it easier to comb.
• Asians have long and successfully used the beneficial properties of the medicinal drug to treat early alopecia. To prepare a cosmetic product, 50 ml of the drink is mixed with the yolk of an egg and a spoonful of honey. The mixture is kept on the hair for 30–40 minutes, then the hair is washed with a diluted half-fermented milk mixture.
• Kumis mixed with sea salt will be a good scrub for the scalp. With the help of such a remedy, you can fight seborrhea. Even if there is no dandruff, the use of a scrub will have a beneficial effect on the hair. After using it, the blood supply to the root bulbs will improve, the strands will be cleaned of the residues of styling products, and will acquire a lively shine.

For facial skin

Due to the presence of beneficial retinol and tocopherol in the composition, the use of kumis allows you to rejuvenate the skin of the face. The fermented milk mixture has a moisturizing, whitening and toning effect. It can be used to cleanse loose skin instead of cosmetic milk. The benefits of goat kumis when used as a cosmetic product will be higher, since such a drink contains more fat.

A rejuvenating and whitening effect is provided by a mask of kumis and parsley leaves.

1. Grind the greens, dilute with a drink so that the mixture is not too liquid.
2. The mask is applied every other day, the course consists of 10-15 procedures.

Recipe for making kumis at home

In the absence of a traditional ingredient, it can be substituted for goat or cow milk. It was by this technology that the Greeks made a healthy fermented milk dish.

In terms of medicinal properties, kumis made from cow or goat milk is somewhat inferior to the classic one, but surpasses it in taste.

To prepare healthy homemade kumis you will need:

• 2 liters of the main ingredient;
• 4 teaspoons of honey (lime or flower);
• dry yeast - 1-3 grams;
• 2 large spoons of sugar-free yogurt.

Preparation:

1. First, the sourdough is prepared, for which the milk is heated.
2. After the liquid boils, honey is dissolved in it, and allowed to cool.
3. Then the sourdough is added to the mixture and left for a day in a warm place.
4. The resulting curdled milk is filtered, yeast diluted with water is put there, the rest of honey is added.
5. The mixture is kept in a sealed container until the process of carbon dioxide evolution begins.
6. The drink is placed in the refrigerator for ½ day for final fermentation.

So that a homemade dish does not harm your health, they consume it for 3-4 days.

From this video you can learn how kumis is prepared at home:

Harm of koumiss and contraindications to use

• A healthy drink is not recommended to be added to the menu for people suffering from diseases of the stomach or intestines, if the disease is at the stage of exacerbation.
• A contraindication is also such a diagnosis as gastritis with high acidity.
• Kumis will cause harm in acute forms of renal ailments, inflammatory processes in the liver and gallbladder, hypolactosia.
• Despite the fact that the healing properties of mare's milk are used in the treatment of tuberculosis, people with an open form of this disease should refuse a refreshing drink.
• For those suffering from obesity or atherosclerosis, kumis made from milk with a high fat content will bring harm.
• Since the mixture contains alcohol, diabetics should use kumis with caution. They are advised to drink daily kumis, containing a minimum of alcohol, in small portions and only after consulting a doctor.

How to choose and store kumis

• Only fresh product brings health benefits. Therefore, the release date should be the main selection criterion.
• It is important to pay attention to the technology of making the drink. Aged kumis contains more alcohol, which is not always desirable. For children or pregnant women, such a drink will do harm rather than benefit.
• It is better to choose kumis packaged in glass containers.

The fermented milk mixture is stored in the refrigerator for no longer than seven days.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of kumiss from mare's milk is a topic that should be of interest to those who lead a healthy lifestyle. However, for the residents of Russia, this drink is exotic - it is rather difficult to find it on the shelves of our stores. Meanwhile, fermented milk products made from other types of raw materials also have useful properties that will have a beneficial effect on the work of the whole body and bring health benefits.