From lactose intolerance to diet choices, there are plenty of reasons you may choose not to consume dairy products—especially if you’re concerned about your digestive health. While consuming probiotic-rich dairy products like yogurt can be one great way for some people to keep their guts healthy, dairy could have the opposite effect for people with sensitivities. Luckily, there’s one delicious dairy-free milk alternative that experts say could do wonders for your digestion.
To discover the best dairy-alternative for gut health, we spoke to nutritionist Mary Sabat and Sas Parsad, gut health expert and founder of The Gut Co. Sabat pointed us towards coconut milk, while Parsad that coconut milk kefir could help bring balance to your gut microbiome. Learn more below!
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Coconut Milk/Coconut Kefir
If almond milk and oat milk aren't quite your thing, you may want to consider giving some gut-healthy coconut milk a try. Not only is this dairy-free milk delicious (try it out in your Starbucks order!) but it's also easy on your digestive system. In fact, it can even help restore balance in your gut microbiome. "Coconut milk is a great option for those with digestive issues as it is easy to digest and is rich in lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties that can help support a healthy gut microbiome," Parsad tells us.
Sabat suggests going one step further and trying coconut kefir. She describes this as "a fermented drink made from coconut milk, which is rich in beneficial bacteria and yeasts," noting that "These organisms are known to help improve the balance of bacteria in the digestive tract."
When you combine probiotic-rich kefir with the dairy-free benefits of coconut milk, you'll be on your way to one healthy gut. Sabat even says research suggests that "coconut kefir can help improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and fight off toxins in the gut." Nice!
Overall, there are plenty of dairy-free milk options out there these days. However, if you're looking for optimal gut health, coconut milk is one of the best ways to go—and coconut milk kefir is even better.
