Homemade rye kvass benefits and harms. Properties of kvass - benefits and harms to the human body. Useful properties of homemade kvass for the body
The popularity of kvass in these days is high. But not many people know that this drink appeared in ancient times. If now we use kvass as a tasty and thirst-quenching drink, then in the old days it serves as an excellent remedy for various diseases. Russia is called the birthplace of kvass, but also in Ancient Egypt made a drink similar to it. In any case, the benefits and harms of kvass were highly valued among people of various nationalities.
In honor of kvass, many folk signs were invented. For example, the daily use of this drink foreshadowed people's health and longevity. People who kept vats of kvass in their homes folk omens promised prosperity. How useful is homemade kvass? What kind useful qualities enclosed in this precious drink?
The composition and calorie content of kvass
Nowadays, kvass can be cooked at home. If there is no desire to use the home recipe for preparing this drink at home, then kvass can always be bought at any grocery store. In ancient times, the recipe for making kvass was not known to everyone; special people were engaged in its preparation, whose profession was called kvass.
There is a huge variety of varietal types of kvass: mint, beet, bread, apple, fragrant, sour or sweet. In the manufacture of each type of drink, the appropriate ingredients are used. As a rule, the composition of any variety of kvass includes the following components:
- Water;
- Alimentary fiber;
- Alcohol;
- Monosaccharides;
- organic acids;
- Ash;
- Starch and others.
When preparing homemade kvass, only natural ingredients are used, such as malt, bread, or other additives.
When the question arises, is kvass useful? - it is enough to pay attention to it chemical composition. Depending on the ingredients in the preparation of this drink, one can judge its benefits. Any variety of kvass contains the entire subgroup of B vitamins, so the drink becomes the most valuable medicinal, as well as a prophylactic for various ailments.
How many calories are in kvass? This drink is low-calorie, so it can be consumed by those who carefully monitor the beauty of their figure. The calorie content of kvass is 27 calories per 100 ml. drink.
Useful qualities of kvass
If the drink is prepared only from natural ingredients, then it can provide invaluable benefits for the entire human body. A delicious drink can be consumed during the period of illness, as well as an effective prevention against the occurrence of various ailments.
What is unique about this aromatic drink?
- The complete chemical composition of kvass ensures the supply of essential vitamins and minerals to the body. Accordingly, such a composition helps to strengthen the immune forces.
- Thanks to the yeast, which is part of some varieties of kvass, the drink has an antimicrobial and wound-healing effect. Yeast is very useful in the treatment of pustular skin diseases.
- Regular consumption of the drink contributes to the normalization of the digestive tract.
- Kvass is also useful for tooth enamel, drinking the drink helps to strengthen it.
- Kvass has only a positive effect on men. It has been proven that the course use of the drink helps to increase potency, as well as rid the body of "male" diseases.
- The drink has a positive effect on the performance of the cardiac system. Kvass is recommended for use by people who are at risk of developing a heart attack or stroke.
- Kvass is widely used as a drink in various diets. Due to the low calorie content, it is recommended to drink with obesity. But kvass is also included in therapeutic diets, for example, in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The drink contributes to the destruction of pathogens, and also contributes to the activation of metabolic processes.
- Kvass, the benefits and harms of which have been proven, is useful to use together with meat dishes. The drink helps to enhance digestion processes, helping the stomach to digest food that is heavy for it faster.
- The drink helps to quench thirst, it copes with a decline in mood or physical strength.
Harm kvass
If kvass is prepared correctly, that is, in compliance with all the necessary recommendations, then it does not have any harmful effects on the body.
It is important to remember that the basis of any kvass is a fermentation process, so the drink tends to turn sour. But sour kvass is strictly forbidden to be used as a healthy drink, otherwise it can provoke an acute indigestion or even poisoning.
Is it possible to drink kvass while driving? Any kvass contains alcohol. How much alcohol is in kvass depends on the ingredients that are used in the preparation of the drink. But in any case, it causes slight intoxication due to the alcohol content in small proportions. If you still need to drive a car after drinking kvass, then it is recommended to wait a little (about 30 minutes) after drinking kvass, and then get behind the wheel.
About the same aspects are important to consider for nursing mothers. Kvass at breastfeeding undesirable to use. The alcohol contained in the drink can adversely affect the development of the baby. Moreover, alcohol is contraindicated for use by young mothers themselves, who have not yet fully recovered after delivery.
Can pregnant women drink kvass? Neither pregnant nor young children should drink kvass. The main reason for the strict ban is the alcohol content of the drink.
Some categories of patients are forbidden to drink kvass, since the drink can provoke the development of exacerbations of the corresponding diseases. Drinking a drink is contraindicated in gastritis, cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension.
Bread kvass
The most common variety of kvass is bread or rye. At the heart of the preparation of the drink are the following components: water, rye bread, sugar, pressed yeast. The chemical composition of rye kvass is rich, there are also vitamins (E, the entire subgroup B, PP, C), minerals (calcium, iron, iodine), as well as other vital components.
Judging by the beneficial properties of rye kvass, they are large-scale:
- the drink contributes to the normalization of the digestive tract by enhancing the work of metabolic processes;
- bread kvass has an antimicrobial property, it eliminates pathogens in the stomach, filling the digestive system with beneficial microflora;
- rye kvass is able to cheer up, give the body vigor and strength. The drink is used as a means to quench thirst, while it is better to drink it chilled;
- due to the content of vitamin C, rye kvass becomes an excellent prophylactic against the occurrence of heart and vascular diseases. Regular consumption of the drink helps to stabilize the rate of cholesterol in the blood;
- Many doctors recommend drinking bread kvass with frequent attacks of heartburn. Moreover, this drink is part of therapeutic diets for diseases of the pancreas;
- drink is shown and diabetes, but in this version it is necessary to drink it in small proportions;
- rye kvass has medicinal properties in inflammatory diseases of the liver and kidneys. The only condition for effective help is that the disease is not started.
But bread kvass can also be harmful. For example, it is forbidden to drink it to small children due to the content of alcohol in the drink.
Making kvass at home from rye bread is quite simple. To do this, you need to take 3 liters of boiled water, 300 gr. rye bread, 100 gr. granulated sugar, 30 gr. pressed yeast. Stir prepared yeast in water, add sugar and sliced \u200b\u200bpieces of rye bread. Cover the container with a drink with a gauze cloth and put it in a dark place for a couple of days. As soon as kvass has a sour taste, the drink can be considered cooked. Before direct use, kvass is recommended to be filtered, and the remaining thick can be used to re-prepare kvass.
Kvass from birch sap
A drink made from birch sap is not very common in Russia. But it has unique and useful qualities.
How to make kvass from birch sap? The basis of the preparation of the drink is the mixing of birch sap with pressed yeast. As an additional component, lactic bacteria are used, which give great benefits to the cooked kvass.
Kvass from birch sap has unique medicinal properties: it normalizes the efficiency of the gastrointestinal tract, enriches the body with nutrients, improves overall physical strength and performance.
Other ingredients can be added to kvass if desired, for example, raisins, rose hips, cranberries,. The recipe for kvass made from birch sap with honey is popular for its medicinal qualities. The finished drink is useful for colds and respiratory tract infections.
Kvass from chicory
Making kvass from chicory at home is quite simple. The basis of preparation includes such components as: pure water, granulated sugar, pressed yeast, instant chicory, lemon or citric acid.
The finished drink has a lot of valuable qualities: it improves the tone of the body, gives strength and energy, has antipyretic properties and resists the appearance of infections and harmful bacteria in the body.
Beet kvass
When used, beneficial properties and contraindications for use are always individual. Such a drink serves as a natural means of cleansing the liver, but you can drink it only on the recommendation of doctors.
Olya Smirnova wrote that her mother makes it all year round and they drink it constantly, and not only in the hot season. I thought, times are changing taste preferences too, but kvass remains one of the favorite drinks for a long time. What is the secret of such popularity, let's see.
Let's start with the history of when this drink appeared, why people fell in love with it and how it was made.
Historical facts about bread kvass
Despite the fact that even the ancient Egyptians had a drink similar to kvass, it is still considered Russian, in Egypt it was prepared differently and it was more alcoholic drink. In Greece, they also made similar drinks, but based on fruits.
It was bread kvass that appeared in Rus' and, as they say, quite by accident. Somehow water got into the barrel where the grain lay, it began to sour and even sprouted. The owner of this grain decided to revive it in order to avoid losses. He began to dry it, ground it, but, of course, he did not get high-quality flour, but malt turned out. He poured boiling water over it, left it to ferment, thought it would at least be useful for livestock to feed, but as a result of fermentation, a pleasant drink turned out. It was the first bread kvass.
It was only later that it was improved, having come up with the idea of making wort - the base for real kvass. That is why kvass is considered Russian, since the must is our Russian exclusive technology.
As historians say, kvass was made before, but for the first time it was mentioned in the annals of 989, at the moment of an important event for Rus' - the adoption of Christianity. At the behest of Prince Vladimir, in honor of this event, food, honey and kvass were distributed to the people.
Previously, the preparation of kvass was a rather lengthy process, almost a ritual action, and guests were invited to sample the new kvass. Each hostess had her own special recipe and she did not disclose it, but passed it on by inheritance. In the villages, the most delicious kvass was named after its mistress - "Daryin kvass", "Maryin kvass". To give a special taste and aroma, honey, raisins and various herbs were added.
In Rus', kvass was very popular, there were a huge number of types of kvass and they made it not only from bread, but also from fruits, berries, herbs and roots. There was even such a profession - a fermenter, and the people of this profession were treated with honor and respect.
Why Peter I, a lover of everything Western, was not averse to drinking a mug of another kvass, he even invented his own recipe - kvass with horseradish and improved his health after feasts.
Alexander Suvorov revered bread kvass for protecting against scurvy and helping to recover faster from injuries. The Russian army always carried barrels of kvass with them and not only ordinary soldiers, but also high ranks drank it.
Russian kvass was also appreciated by the notorious Italian Kazanova and he wrote about kvass like this:
"The Russians have a delicious drink ... it is much superior to Constantinople sherbet ... besides, it is very cheap, since a large barrel is given for a ruble."
He gladly restored his strength with our kvass, wasted in amorous affairs.
Indeed, in Rus', kvass was considered not just a tasty drink, but a medicinal one. On the wedding day, the groom was sure to drink kvass for the birth of healthy offspring. In hospitals, there were always containers with kvass and it was given to the sick without fail. So why is kvass useful?
Bread kvass - benefits and harms
Speaking about the benefits of this drink for our body, we will talk specifically about home-made kvass, since I strongly doubt that store-bought kvass can be classified as a medicinal drink.
Although this drink is many years old, and traditional healers and scientific minds are still in the stage of reflection, which makes it healing. Some say that due to the effect of fermentation, as a result of which it is enriched with useful substances and microorganisms. Others, that due to the beneficial properties of the cereals from which it is made. Probably, the combination of both of them gives a useful and even therapeutic effect to this drink, and its composition speaks about the same.
Bread kvass contains vitamins A, groups B, E, C, PP, useful minerals such as fluorine, phosphorus, cobalt, copper, zinc, molybdenum and iron, also contains organic acids, amino acids, yeast, enzymes.
Thanks to this vitamin and mineral composition, kvass really has a beneficial effect on our body.
Useful properties of bread kvass
- In terms of its effect on our body, natural bread kvass can be equated to kefir or yogurt, it has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting the growth of harmful microflora, thereby helping to get rid of dysbacteriosis.
- It normalizes metabolism, helps the body get rid of toxins, thanks to kvass, food is better broken down.
- Good for cardio vascular system, in violation of cerebral circulation, cleans the blood vessels well.
- Renders positive influence on the endocrine system our body.
- It calms the nerves, therefore it is useful for fatigue, insomnia, neuroses and depression.
- It has a good effect on the condition of hair, skin, nails. The famous surgeon N. I. Pirogov recommended bread kvass as a means of accelerating the fusion of bones in fractures.
- Increases the body's resistance to colds and infectious diseases. The bactericidal properties of kvass were proven by the scientist V.S. Sotnikov, his studies showed that typhoid and paratyphoid microorganisms die in kvass.
- The enzymes that make up kvass make it useful even for eye diseases - glaucoma, optic nerve atrophy, retinal detachment, myopia.
- Useful for people with kidney and liver diseases. N. V. Sklifosovsky argued that kvass is an excellent prophylactic for cirrhosis of the liver and peptic ulcer.
- And finally, for the sake of which most people use it - it perfectly quenches thirst, prevents dehydration of the body, helps with overheating, relieving heat in the body.
Yes, our ancestors knew a lot about drinks and home-made bread kvass is really useful. And most importantly, it is not at all difficult to make it, the composition of the ingredients is simple and accessible to everyone.
Contraindications to the use of kvass
Of course, kvass can do harm to us, if you do not know what are the contraindications to its use. And in the case of chronic diseases, it will not be superfluous to ask the doctor if you can drink this drink or not.
- It is not recommended to drink, especially sour varieties of kvass, for people with acute inflammatory diseases of the digestive system and gastritis with high acidity.
- Bread kvass can cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to gluten.
- Nursing mothers should drink kvass with caution, as it can cause bloating and colic in a child.
- Specialists in baby nutrition do not recommend giving kvass to children under 3 years old.
As you can see, there are not so many contraindications to the use of homemade kvass. There is one more nuance - homemade kvass can be made without yeast and using yeast. Which is more useful?
Kvass with yeast or without yeast - which is better
I reviewed a lot of information, but I found the answer only in Tatyana Litvinova's book "Kvass - a healer from 100 diseases."
So in this book it is said that yeast in kvass is a useful and necessary ingredient, since it is they that saturate kvass with vitamins of group B, PP, organic acids, help retain moisture in the body and therefore kvass quenches thirst so well.
In kvass without yeast, yeast is also present, which is obtained naturally, it’s just that there may be less of them. Therefore, bread kvass is useful both with yeast and prepared without yeast.
But there is important point and this applies to contraindications - yeast contains purines, which inhibit the excretion of uric acid from the body, and this can lead to inflammatory processes in the joints.
You can not drink kvass with yeast for people with chronic renal failure and with a disease such as gout.
If you don’t have such diseases, then you can safely drink yeast-based kvass if you like it better.
I hope the information about the benefits and harms of bread kvass was useful to you. Personally, I learned a lot about this delicious drink. So make homemade kvass (I talked about the recipes last time) and delight yourself and your loved ones with a tasty and healthy drink.
If you do not like homemade kvass or do not want to make it, then watch a video on how to choose the right store kvass.
Elena Kasatova. See you by the fireplace.
An old Russian drink, beloved by most Russians, is kvass, the benefits and harms of which will be the subject of discussion in our article. There are many different varieties of kvass: bread, apple, daily, mint, beet, okroshka, berry. An invigorating drink can be purchased ready-made in the store. Or you can cook it yourself using natural products. It will be the most delicious and healthy drink.
Beneficial features
From time immemorial, a tasty fermenting product in Rus' was found in almost any home, and during fasting days it was the basis of many dishes: okroshka, botvini. Why is this drink so popular so far, is kvass useful and what is this benefit expressed in?
In a drink from the store useful substances very little. Most often, in its preparation, chemical additives, food colorings and preservatives are used, the product is subjected to pasteurization. After such procedures, the leaven loses all its healing qualities.
Therefore, we will only talk about “live fermentation” kvass, made according to the correct technology from natural ingredients. The benefits of such a product for both men and women are indisputable:
- It has a tonic, invigorating effect.
- Well removes thirst, especially in the summer heat, as it contains lactic and acetic acids.
- It has the ability to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, improves the digestion and assimilation of heavy foods.
- It has a positive effect on the work of the heart muscle and the entire cardiovascular system. Yeast fungi developed as a result of fermentation help to remove cholesterol plaques, which increases the elasticity and strength of blood vessels. Therefore, it is useful to drink kvass with high blood pressure.
- It has a bactericidal effect, due to which harmful bacteria in the intestines are destroyed.
- Relieves colds, sore throats and flu.
- Increases appetite in case of loss of strength.
- Improves the functioning of the pancreas thanks to the yeast that is part of the drink, enhances the production of insulin. Therefore, a naturally fermented drink is useful for people with diabetes.
- Helps the suffering alcohol addiction reduce alcohol cravings.
- It is an energetically valuable low-calorie product due to the presence of rapidly digestible amino acids and carbohydrates, which is valuable for overweight people.
- Relieves stress, fatigue, irritation, strengthens muscles due to the content in it a large number B group vitamins.
- Helps restore and strengthen immunity due to the presence of a significant amount of ascorbic acid.
- Strengthens tooth enamel, reduces the risk of caries due to the presence of calcium in the composition.
- Strengthens male "strength", helps in the treatment of typical male diseases.
- Reduces the risk of stones in the bile ducts and bladder.
- Helps to restore and strengthen the body after surgical operations, heavy physical activity, with exhaustion, as it has a high energy value.
- Helps fight spring beriberi.
- Promotes better sleep, helps in the fight against chronic fatigue, depression.
- Purifies and improves skin appearance, removes inflammation and purulent acne.
- Helps to stabilize the condition of patients with kidney and liver diseases.
- It has a positive effect in eye diseases - glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, myopia, optic nerve atrophy. Cleans the capillaries of the fundus due to the presence of vitamins capable of this.
- It is a prophylactic against harmful viruses and infections.
It is useful to have an invigorating drink on the table if there are fatty meat products on the menu. Not without reason, in the old days, a delicious foamy product was familiar and everyday for Russian people.
But, for all the usefulness of kvass, you should not use it thoughtlessly or fanatically in significant volumes. There are restrictions on the use of such a healthy drink.
Harm
Doctors did not reveal much harm from the use of natural kvass in food. There are only restrictions on its consumption.
- Kvass is a product of live fermentation, it contains a small portion of ethyl alcohol. Therefore, it should be used with caution in children and pregnant women. Doctors recommend letting children drink the delicious drink from the age of three. Some baby nutrition experts advise waiting until age seven. The decision is up to the parents.
- This feature must be taken into account by those who plan to drive the car themselves. We drank kvass - wait at least an hour for the vapors of alcohol to disappear, then just get behind the wheel.
- Chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, liver cirrhosis, urolithiasis prohibit the use of bread kvass.
- Natural bread kvass is not stored for a long time. It is necessary to strictly observe the expiration dates so as not to get poisoned by a damaged product.
Dietary Properties
Kvass, made from natural products by the method of live fermentation, is recognized by doctors as an excellent diet drink. With low acidity, nutritionists advise taking half a glass of delicious drink 30-40 minutes before meals.
Kvass diets have been created for those who want to lose weight. Moreover, the benefits of such diets far outweigh the harm:
- Diets based on kvass show a high weight loss result.
- They act favorably on the health of losing weight. The appearance, condition of hair and skin changes for the better, it becomes elastic.
- There is no constant feeling of hunger. Kvass promotes the production of insulin, its level in the blood becomes higher, the sugar content decreases, and a feeling of satiety appears.
- There is a natural bowel cleansing.
- Metabolic processes in the body are restored.
- The mood rises.
calories
The calorie content of natural bread kvass is 27 kilocalories per 100 g of drink. Calorie content may deviate up or down depending on the product used in the manufacture of kvass:
- Beetroot - 12 kcal
- Apple - 26 kcal
- Honey - cranberry - 40 kcal
- Ginger - 9 kcal
A store-bought, industrially produced drink contains one and a half to two times more calories.
Contraindications
Although kvass is considered a dietary product, not everyone can enjoy it.
- Having increased acidity of gastric juice, gastritis, stomach ulcer, you can forget about this delicious drink or use it with caution. At hyperacidity an unpleasant consequence of the use of kvass is heartburn.
- Allergy to cereals can also become an obstacle to the intake of fermented grain liquid.
- Due to the alcohol content in the drink, it is unacceptable for children under 3 years old to give kvass, from 3 to 7 years old it is worth limiting its amount to a small dose.
Can pregnant and lactating women
Pregnant women and nursing mothers should not drink kvass because of the small amount of ethyl alcohol formed in it (from 0.6% to 2.6%). A baby who feeds on mother's milk may experience colic, bloating due to the resulting gases.
The nutritional value
Natural kvass, prepared in compliance with all the rules, serves as a storehouse of many vitamins, minerals and other substances necessary for health.
The energy value of an invigorating drink per 100 g is shown in the table.
The product's name | calories, kilocalories | Proteins, g | Fats, g | Carbohydrates, g |
Bread kvass | 27 | 0,2 | 0 | 5,3 |
Cranberry kvass | 41 | 0,21 | 0,02 | 11 |
Kvass from apples | 36,0 | 0,2 | 0,08 | 9,0 |
Kvass from rhubarb | 34,0 | 0,2 | 0,04 | 8,9 |
Bread kvass (from the finished concentrate) | 4,3 | 0,05 | 0,007 | 1,2 |
There are many in the fermented drink and useful substances that cause it medicinal properties:
There are micro and macro elements in kvass, their quantity is different depending on the main component of the drink. Let's compare two types of kvass - honey - cranberry and apple. These elements are absent in bread kvass.
Micro and macro elements | Per 100 g of product, mg | |||
Honey - cranberry | apple | Daily rate, mg | Apple,% of the norm | |
Calcium | 3,2 | 6 | 1000 | 0,7 |
Magnesium | 0,9 | 1,7 | 400 | 0,5 |
Potassium | 13,3 | 49,3 | 2500 | 2,1 |
Sodium | 1,6 | 4,9 | 1300 | 0,5 |
Phosphorus | 2,5 | 5 | 800 | 0,7 |
Zinc | 0,0043 | 0,0360 | 12 | 0,35 |
Chlorine | 0,02 | 0,3 | 2300 | 0,02 |
Manganese | 0,015 | 0,04 | 2 | 2,2 |
Molybdenum | 0.04 µg | 1.05 mcg | 70 mcg | 1,4 |
Iron | 0,2 | 0,45 | 18 | 2,4 |
Iodine | 0.015 µg | 0,45 | 150 | 0,4 |
Correct use
Kvass, made according to all the rules, can and should be drunk, especially in the summer heat. It quenches thirst well due to the presence of lactic acid in it. The main thing is not to overdo it, to know the measure.
You should not drink a fermenting drink to a driver who is going on a flight. Recently created sensitive breathalyzers will definitely show the minimum dose of alcohol in the blood, which is fraught with loss of rights and a fine.
Storage
It is better to pour ready-made kvass into portioned plastic or glass bottles with tightly screwed caps.
It is better to keep bottles with a drink in the refrigerator, laying on their side.
The shelf life of homemade kvass at a temperature of +5 degrees is 7-10 days.
The shelf life of purchases from the store is indicated on the packaging. Preservatives and stabilizers are usually added to ready-made kvass, so the shelf life of such a product in unopened packaging is much longer. But the health benefits of such drinking are highly questionable.
How to choose
When buying a ready-made drink, pay attention to the container in which it is poured. It is better to take kvass in dark packaging. sunlight has a negative effect on finished product, in the dark, useful properties are preserved better and longer.
The longer the shelf life of the drink, the greater the amount of chemical preservative additives it contains. It is better to refuse the acquisition of such a drink.
Take an interest in the composition of the product - it should include bread yeast.
When pouring a drink, pay attention to the foam - it should not be at all or be very small.
What is good to combine
On the basis of kvass, everyone's favorite cold soups are prepared: okroshka, tyurya, botvinya.
The drink goes well with many products:
- With vegetables - potatoes, cucumbers, horseradish, carrots, radishes;
- With greens - celery, dill, parsley, onion, sorrel, nettle, mint, lemon balm;
- With cereals - buckwheat, millet, wheat, barley;
- With berries - strawberries, cranberries, sea buckthorn, cherries;
- With bread;
- With meat and meat products - sausage, ham;
- With dairy products - kefir, sour cream, cottage cheese, whey;
- With chicken egg;
- With vegetable oils.
Kvass and spices (pepper), lemon, raisins, apples, pears go well together. The combination depends on your gastronomic preferences.
It is easy to prepare kvass at home, there are different recipes on the Internet, and in the store you will be offered a concentrate for kvass (or kvass wort). Treat yourself to a delicious homemade drink, benefit and healing properties which are obvious.
What could be better than a mug of cool bread kvass on a hot summer day? Many consider kvass to be a real symbol of summer and look forward to this sultry season to enjoy the invariable rye taste of a fragrant and slightly sour drink. And the most ardent fans of kvass have long mastered the recipe for its preparation, and are happy to cook it at home for themselves and their loved ones.
But if you think about it, what do we know about kvass? We will devote this article to the influence of kvass on the human body, the beneficial properties and contraindications of this national Russian drink.
Useful properties of kvass
Kvass is a real pantry of useful substances for our body. This drink is obtained as a result of lactic and alcoholic fermentation of the wort, and therefore the main benefit of kvass comes from the microorganisms that appear as a result of this process.
Kvass contains more than 10 essential amino acids, many vitamins we need, including vitamin A, C, E, H, PP, as well as B vitamins. Bread kvass contains a whole range of minerals, among which calcium and phosphorus, magnesium and potassium should be highlighted. Is it any wonder that in the old days bread kvass was drunk to maintain health during Lent?
The calorie content of kvass can vary, because it is affected by the amount of yeast and sugar in the recipe. However, if you prepare a drink according to the classic recipe, then 100 g of the product will contain no more than 27 calories. Moreover, the glycemic index of bread kvass is 30, which once again confirms the superiority of this old Russian drink over drinks sold in supermarkets.
The benefits of kvass
And now let's talk about the beneficial properties of this amazing elixir:
1. Due to the valuable chemical composition, kvass supplies the body with vitamins and minerals, preventing beriberi and the development of scurvy.
2. This drink makes immunity strong, and not only due to the vitamin and mineral composition, but also due to the presence of lactic acid bacteria in this drink. Not without reason, in pre-revolutionary Russia, kvass was prescribed as a prescription for the speedy recovery of the body. And in wartime, this drink was a must in the menu of soldiers.
3. Kvass restores work digestive system, in particular: increases the production of gastric juice and prevents gas formation, relieves heartburn and treats peptic ulcer, improves the intestinal microflora and even removes some harmful bacteria from the body.
4. Kvass has a high calcium content, due to which its use strengthens tooth enamel and prevents the development of caries. Such an elixir is useful for children whose skeleton is undergoing a stage of intensive growth, as well as for the elderly, in whom calcium is washed out of the bones, increasing the risk of fractures.
5. Few people know that the valuable composition of bread kvass is very useful for vision. This drink is recommended to include in your diet for people with myopia, glaucoma, cataracts, optic nerve atrophy and other ophthalmic problems.
6. Bread kvass is extremely useful for people suffering from gastritis with low acidity. With its use, the activity of gastric juice increases and the digestion of food improves.
7. Kvass contains a lot of B vitamins and other substances, thanks to which literally one glass of this wonderful drink improves mood. Moreover, drinking a glass of kvass, you will increase your efficiency, improve sleep, prevent neurosis, cope with stress and prevent the development of depression.
8. Yeast fungi, which are present in abundance in kvass, not only improve the intestinal microflora, but also take care of the state of the cardiovascular system. Fungi clean the blood vessels from cholesterol plaques, increase the elasticity of the vascular walls, strengthen the heart muscle and improve blood counts. By the way, this ability of yeast fungi is very useful in terms of stimulating male potency.
9. The use of kvass is useful for those who have problems with the nasopharynx and bronchopulmonary system. In this regard, kvass should be taken as a medicine for otitis media, tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia.
10. In addition to a beneficial effect on internal organs, kvass based on bread perfectly cleanses the skin from acne and boils, uneven pigmentation and purulent inflammation, treats dermatitis, viral lesions skin and many other diseases. Moreover, regular use of this elixir can improve and strengthen hair and nails.
11. Kvass has a detoxifying effect, due to which it removes fecal stones, toxins and toxins from the body. Thanks to this feature, the work of the stomach and intestines, kidneys and liver improves.
12. Finally, kvass is an excellent weight loss tool that can be included in almost any diet as an alternative to juices and any other drinks.
Who should not drink bread kvass
It should be said that kvass, even prepared at home, is considered a low-alcohol drink that contains up to 2.6% ethyl alcohol. And this must be remembered by people who, after drinking kvass, are going to drive a car. In addition, the acidic environment created by lactic acid fungi can harm the body in some diseases. Kvass is contraindicated in diseases such as:
- increased acidity of the stomach (ulcer, gastritis and ulcerative colitis);
- high blood pressure and vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- kidney stones and gallbladder.
In addition, bread kvass should not be drunk by children under 7 years of age due to the vulnerability of their stomach, as well as by pregnant women and mothers who breastfeed their babies.
The use of kvass in folk medicine
It turns out that from time immemorial, kvass was used as medicinal product. You can also help the body by using this drink if you follow the recipes below.
1. Acne, boils or hemorrhoids
In the case of acne, boils, as well as hemorrhoids, long-term non-healing wounds and eczema, specialists traditional medicine recommend 2 times a day to make lotions with slightly warmed kvass.
2. Diseases of the lungs and bronchi
In chronic pathologies of the pulmonary system, as well as in the case of cystitis, urethritis and kidney diseases, it is recommended to drink a glass of bread (barley) kvass 3 r / day half an hour before meals. If desired, you can add 1 tsp to the drink. honey. It takes 1-2 months to treat with this remedy.
3. Poor vision, atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis
If you suffer from these diseases, start your morning every day with a glass of cool bread kvass on an empty stomach. After 1-2 months you will notice the first positive results of such therapy.
4. Cough, bronchitis and severe cold
With the listed ailments, as well as with joint and lumbar pain, compresses on kvass help well. They are placed in the following way. We send a glass of a slightly warmed drink into a deep bowl. There we also add 100 g of red wine, vegetable oil and apple cider vinegar. Pour flour into the resulting mixture, stirring constantly until a dough forms. We place the finished dough cake on the painful area of the body, pressing it on top with a bandage and wrapping it in warm clothes. Keep such a compress should be at least 2 hours every evening, until the problem is resolved.
5. Diseases of the endocrine system
For the treatment of endocrine pathologies, as well as to strengthen the body, you will need the following remedy. In the process of preparing kvass, put 2-3 pieces of ground chestnut fruits together with breadcrumbs. The resulting kvass should be drunk daily for 1 glass before each meal.
6. Cholecystitis and gastric ulcer
This recipe also involves adding a certain component to the main recipe for making kvass, in this case, a handful of dried celandine herb tied in a gauze bag. Drinking such medicinal kvass is required 3 r / day before meals, 0.5 cups each.
The main thing to remember is that all the above recipes must be agreed with the doctor before use so as not to harm your body.
The use of kvass in cosmetology
No less widely this ancient Russian drink is used to care for one's own appearance. For example:
- If freckles appear on your face, just wipe them 3-4 r / day with kvass, not forgetting to wash off the product after 10-15 minutes.
- To make the skin of the face look fresh and velvety, every morning wipe it with a swab, which was previously dipped in kvass.
- To smooth out fine wrinkles and increase the elasticity of the skin of the face, moisten cotton pads daily in fresh kvass and apply them on the face for about 15-20 minutes. To enhance the effect, honey should first be added to kvass.
- To strengthen hair and prevent excessive hair loss, rub fresh kvass into the scalp and hair roots, and then rinse the entire length of the hair with this healing liquid. Put on a plastic cap and hold it for 20 minutes, then wash your hair with shampoo.
- To restore damaged hair (dyed, bleached or permed), you will need the following remedy. To prepare it, 2 tbsp. dilute mayonnaise with 50 ml of sour drink and 5 drops of lemon juice. Apply the mask to the roots and the entire length of the hair, then cover with cellophane, and to enhance the effect, warm with a terry towel. Carry out this procedure once a week.
- To tighten sagging skin of the face, twist in a meat grinder to a porridge-like mass rye malt, intended for the preparation of kvass, and apply such a mask on the skin of the face for 15 minutes. Carry out procedures 2-3 times a week.
- To nourish the skin and restore its former elasticity, mix home-made kvass with cosmetic clay to get a mixture of sour cream consistency. Apply it on your face for a quarter of an hour up to 3 times a week and in just a month you will be surprised at the result.
Kvass for weight loss
Due to the ability to remove metabolic products from the body and improve the digestibility of food, kvass can be an excellent means of weight loss. For this, nutritionists recommend starting your day with a glass of kvass every day, and drinking 3 more glasses of this healthy drink throughout the day. Such a diet lasts 4-6 weeks, and throughout its duration, a low-calorie diet should be followed. Approximately the food in this case will look like this:
1. Beginning of the day: a glass of kvass.
2. Breakfast: porridge (from cereals) and tea.
3. Second breakfast: orange and apple.
4. Lunch: pasta or potato soup, boiled beef or chicken breast with a vegetable side dish, and a glass of kvass.
5. Snack: biscuits and a glass of kvass.
6. Dinner: low-fat fish, beef or chicken with a side dish of vegetables, as well as a glass of kvass.
By adhering to this approach to nutrition, you will not experience a strong feeling of hunger, which means that you will most likely achieve the desired result. On average, people who lose weight with kvass lose 3 to 5 kilograms of net weight per month. And this, from the point of view of nutritionists, is the optimal rate of getting rid of excess weight.
How to make bread kvass at home
1. Classic recipe for kvass without yeast
Finally, we’ll talk about how to cook delicious and incredibly healthy kvass. It is prepared simply, the main thing is to stick to the proposed recipe.
Ingredients:
For sourdough:
- 1 piece of rye bread;
- 1 tsp Sahara;
- 2 cups boiled water.
For kvass:
- 2 pieces of rye bread;
- 1 tbsp Sahara;
- 1.5 liters of boiled water;
- 0.5 l of previously prepared sourdough.
It should be understood that a good sourdough is a guarantee of success in making real bread kvass. It is prepared like this: to the floor liter jar put a crushed piece of bread, pour sugar and pour everything with a glass of water. Having covered the jar with a cloth so that air enters the liquid through it, we leave the sourdough for 2 days.
As soon as the sourdough is ready, you can proceed directly to the preparation of kvass. The cloudy color of the liquid and its sharp taste will tell you about the readiness of the starter. We take a two-liter jar and pour the sourdough onto the bottom. Next, we send two crushed pieces of bread and a spoonful of sugar to the jar. Fill the mixture with boiled water to the brim, then close the lid and leave for a day. After 24 hours, drain 2/3 of the liquid, filter it through cheesecloth and enjoy the unchanged taste of natural bread kvass.
The remaining liquid and the mixture at the bottom are used as a starter for the preparation of a new portion of the drink. To do this, add 2 more slices of bread to the jar, again fill the jar with water to the brim, close and leave for a day.
2. Recipe for rye kvass
There is another recipe for making this beloved sour drink.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of rye flour;
- 10 liters of water.
Taking the flour, knead the dough from it without adding salt (1 kg of flour per 1 liter of water). After kneading the dough, put it in a deep bowl, cover with gauze on top and wrap it with a warm cloth in several layers. We leave this dough to ferment for 2-3 days. As soon as our starter is ready, we send it to a glass bottle, and pour boiled water on top and leave it for 1-2 days. As soon as the time comes, we drain the finished kvass, filter it and enjoy a delicious and invigorating drink.
3. Kvass from rye crackers
We will need:
- half a loaf of rye bread;
- 5 g dry yeast;
- 130 g of sugar;
- a handful of raisins;
- 3-4 liters of water.
We cut the bread into pieces, then cut each piece into four parts. We dry the pieces on a baking sheet in a slightly heated oven for 10-15 minutes, turn off the oven and leave the bread in it for another 10 minutes. We take a large jar (it is best to boil it before that), put crackers in it and pour boiling water into it, but not to the top, but so that there is still room. Add sugar (3 tablespoons). Add yeast to a glass of water (temperature 36-37 degrees) and stir until it is completely dissolved. We wait until the water in the jar becomes the same temperature, and pour the solution with yeast there, after which you need to mix everything thoroughly. We cover the lid and put it for two days in any warm place.
After two days, we take gauze and filter the infusion. We do not throw away the gruel remaining on the gauze! Add sugar to the infusion and stir until it is completely dissolved, add a handful of raisins and leave everything to infuse for half a day in a normal room. After that, we pour the resulting kvass into bottles (you can use plastic ones), carefully seal it and put it in the refrigerator for a day. After a day, the resulting kvass can be consumed.
The bread gruel left after straining can then be used instead of yeast. It is enough to add 4 tablespoons of thick to the rye breadcrumbs when re-cooking kvass.
4. Bread kvass with mint
We will need:
- 1 kg of rye bread crackers;
- 8-10 liters of water;
- 25 g dry yeast;
- 200 g of sugar;
- some mint;
- 50 g raisins.
Cut the rye bread and dry it in the oven until the crackers are browned. We put them in a saucepan and pour boiling water over them. We leave for 4 hours. After we filter, add yeast, mint, sugar, cover with a clean napkin. It should ferment in 5-6 hours. When foam appears, strain the infusion again. Pour into bottles and add a little raisins. We tightly cork the bottles and leave for three days in any cold place.
5. Kvass from rye and wheat bread
Ingredients:
- 8 liters of water;
- half a loaf of rye bread;
- a third of a loaf of wheat bread;
- 60 g fresh yeast;
- half a glass of sugar.
Preheat the oven and put the sliced \u200b\u200bbread in it. Let dry until the bread is soft inside. Bring 8 liters of water to a boil, then put dried bread and sugar in it. Wait until the water cools down and add the yeast. Leave for 2-3 days to ferment at room temperature. We filter everything through gauze or a fine sieve, pour it into bottles or jars. Add sugar to taste and store in the refrigerator. Drink bread kvass and be healthy!
Summer is the time when it is difficult to refuse refreshing drinks, on the contrary, you want to consume them often and in large quantities. Apart from mineral water and sweet lemonades, kvass is especially popular, the harm and benefits of this drink cause erroneous associations for many to this day.
To dispel all myths and find out the real truth about the legendary drink, we offer you to read a detailed article in which the main secrets of the ancient drink are in full view.
What is kvass: varieties of drink
Let's not go too deep into the history of this miraculous intoxicating medicine, since it historical roots go deep into antiquity. Let's just say that the first official mention of a summer drink falls on the reign of Prince Vladimir. For the first time, a great-power prince ordered kvass to be distributed ordinary people during the baptism of Rus'.
Since then, drinking began to win the love of all classes of the population very quickly. An invigorating drink with hops has become so popular that a new profession has even appeared in Rus' - kvass. This was the name of a person who prepared all kinds of kvass with his own hands, and at that time (in fact, as now) there were a lot of them.
Our ancestors believed in the unique beneficial properties of this product, and therefore often used it for the prevention and treatment of many diseases. True, earlier kvass was a rather strong drink, and not only in terms of the power of its healing power, but also in terms of alcohol content.
As for the types of intoxicating drink, it is rather difficult to name them all, because it is prepared from a wide variety of ingredients.
However, we can briefly get acquainted with the most popular varieties right now:
- . Perhaps the most popular type of this drink. It is prepared, as a rule, from rye flour, yeast, malt (barley or rye), lactic acid bacteria, leavened bread, water and sugar.
- Honey, as the name implies, it is based on honey.
- Fruit. It is usually made in 2 ways: either bread kvass is first prepared as a base, and then it is flavored with jam or fresh fruit juice; or immediately prepared from fruit drink / fruit juice, without adding flour and bread.
In turn, fruit is divided into several subspecies:
- cherry;
- pear;
- citric;
- cranberry, etc.
- - made from fresh birch sap.
- Tea - created on the basis of Kombucha.
- - prepared with the addition of beets.
In addition, kvass happens, and many other ingredients. However, despite all its diversity, the benefits and harms of an old intoxicating drink can be reduced to several points.
The chemical composition of homemade kvass
It is impossible to determine what the usefulness of a drink is without knowing the richness of its chemical composition. Of course, we are talking about natural kvass, prepared at home using the right technology. Traditionally, kvass is produced by unfinished lactic and alcoholic fermentation of must. It is also very important that the percentage of alcohol in it does not exceed 1.2%.
In a purchased drink, this percentage is often an order of magnitude higher, which makes it possible to equate it with non-alcoholic beer, and this is a completely different product, moreover, harmful to the human body. Do not confuse natural kvass with kvass drinks - they are a kind of surrogates, substitutes for a real healing product, they have never had and cannot contain useful substances.
There are many useful properties in homemade kvass, this is explained by the high content of all kinds of useful elements in it. Most of the drink contains:
- vitamins of group B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, E, PP;
- proteins;
- trace elements (iron, selenium, zinc, fluorine, manganese, iodine, copper, etc.);
- macronutrients (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, etc.)
Is kvass good for the body? Of course, yes, if it is cooked at home. In addition to the fact that it perfectly quenches thirst, refreshes and invigorates, homemade kvass is still able to significantly heal the body.
This is confirmed by the functions that the drink unquestioningly performs in the human body:
- fills the body with vitamins, and accordingly, strengthens the immune system;
- stimulates the acidity of the stomach;
- restores water-salt balance;
- strengthens tooth enamel;
- normalizes metabolism;
- strengthens the heart and blood vessels;
- it has a beneficial effect on the work of the intestines, performing the same function in it as yogurt and kefir;
- improves appetite;
- is an excellent means of preventing dysbacteriosis and intestinal disorders;
- successfully copes with pustular skin diseases;
- prevents the appearance of pathogenic microorganisms;
- kvass is recommended to be taken with beriberi, scurvy, exhaustion of the body.
Of course, the possibilities of natural kvass are endless, it is simply impossible to describe them all. The benefits of each individual type of intoxicating drink depend on the components that are included in it. It is in the composition of the ingredients that all the benefits and all the harm of this healing product lie.
Is kvass harmful to health
Is it useful to drink kvass - we have already found out. If it is natural, then its beneficial properties are very limitless and will be a real help for health in the heat. However, to say that there is no harm from the consumption of such a drink would be wrong.
Despite the content of natural ingredients, a summer refreshing drink can harm your health. But this is possible if you have certain contraindications to its use.
These contraindications are most often:
- diseases of the liver and biliary tract;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- celiac disease;
- stones in the gallbladder and kidneys;
- increased acidity of the stomach;
- ulcer, gastritis (you can not use even in remission);
- oncology;
- colitis, enteritis and other gastrointestinal diseases;
- allergies to cereals, alcohol, yeast;
- hypertension;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- kvass is strictly prohibited for children under 3-5 years old.
How useful or harmful kvass is for you also depends on the amount consumed. If you drink a lot of drink every day, then even for a healthy person it will be harmful. Do not forget also that kvass contains alcohol, so it is not recommended to drive after drinking it.
Harm of kvass for men
The strong half of humanity, perhaps more often than women, uses a refreshing drink. Therefore, men cannot but be interested in the question: how does the drink affect male power?
In the case of natural kvass, it is extremely positive. The drink has a beneficial effect on the male genital area and significantly increases potency. This is also evidenced by the fact that in the old days kvass was given to a man on his wedding day in order to enhance his male abilities, and thereby affect the conception of healthy full-fledged offspring.
Is it possible to recover from kvass
But what primarily interests women who are fond of kvass is the question: do they get better from kvass? Many ladies, succumbing to general panic, mistakenly believe that you can literally get fat from a drink because of a few glasses.
It should be noted that natural kvass is considered dietary, it contains few calories (approximately 27-35 kcal per 100 g of product, depending on the type) and therefore it is often used in the fight against obesity.
Whether or not women who drink a drink in unlimited quantities are getting fat, perhaps, it’s easy to guess. But if you consume in moderate portions, then there will be only benefit. Kvass saturates the body well, besides (as mentioned above) it improves metabolism, so it definitely does not pose a global threat to the figure.
Perhaps everything you need to know about kvass (harm and benefit, indications and contraindications for use, chemical composition, and even Short story) - you already know. Now, before consuming a new refreshing portion, you yourself will be able to answer for yourself: is it harmful to drink kvass or is it still useful?
Take the time to home cooking quality old drink. Refuse to waste money on the purchase of a harmful product, and then all its medicinal properties, which our ancestors used in plenty, will be able to help you in the fight against ailments.