The old Russian drink loved by most Russians is kvass, the benefits and harms of which will be the subject of discussion in our article. There are many different options for kvass: bread, apple, daily, mint, beetroot, okroshechny, berry. An invigorating drink can be purchased ready-made in the store. Or you can cook it yourself using natural products. This will be the most delicious and healthy drink.

Beneficial features

From time immemorial, a delicious fermenting product in Russia was found in almost any home, and during fasting days it was the basis of many dishes: okroshka, botvinia. Why is this drink so popular so far, is kvass useful and how is this benefit expressed?

There are very few nutrients in a drink from a store. Most often, during its preparation, chemical additives, food colors 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 undeniable:

• It has a tonic, invigorating effect.
• It removes thirst well, especially in summer heat, as it contains lactic and acetic acids.
• Has the ability to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, improves the digestion and absorption of heavy food.
• It has a positive effect on the work of the heart muscle and the entire cardiovascular system. The yeast that has developed as a result of fermentation helps to remove plaque from cholesterol, which increases the elasticity and strength of the blood vessels. Therefore, it is useful to drink kvass at high blood pressure.
• Has a bactericidal effect, thereby destroying harmful bacteria in the intestines.
• Relieves colds, sore throats and flu.
• Increases appetite in case of loss of strength.
• Improves the work of the pancreas due to the yeast that is part of the drink, increases the production of insulin. Therefore, a naturally fermented drink is useful for people with diabetes.
• Helps alcohol addicts reduce alcohol cravings.
• It is an energetically valuable low-calorie product due to the presence of quickly absorbed amino acids and carbohydrates, which is valuable for people who are overweight.
• Relieves stress, fatigue, irritation, strengthens muscles due to the high content of B vitamins.
• Promotes the restoration and strengthening of immunity due to the presence of a significant amount of ascorbic acid.
• Strengthens tooth enamel, reduces the risk of developing 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.
• Promotes recovery and strengthening of the body after surgery, heavy physical exertion, exhaustion, as it has a high energy value.
• Helps fight against spring deficiency.
• Promotes better sleep, helps in the fight against chronic fatigue, depression.
• Cleans the skin and improves its appearance, removes inflammation and purulent acne.
• Helps to stabilize the condition of patients with kidney and liver diseases.
• It has a positive effect on eye diseases - glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, myopia, optic nerve atrophy. Cleans the fundus capillaries due to the presence of vitamins capable of this.
• It is a prophylactic agent against harmful viruses and infections.

It is useful to have an invigorating drink on the table if fatty meat products are present on the menu. No wonder in the old days a delicious foaming 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 quantities. There are restrictions on the use of such a healthy drink.

Harm

Doctors did not reveal much harm from using natural kvass in food. There are only restrictions on its consumption.

1. Kvass is a product of live fermentation, it contains a small portion of ethyl alcohol. Therefore, it should be used with caution by children and pregnant women. Doctors recommend allowing children to drink a delicious drink from the age of three. Some baby food experts advise waiting up to seven years. The decision is made by the parents.
2. This feature should be taken into account by those who plan to drive themselves. Have a drink of kvask - wait at least an hour for the alcohol vapors to disappear, then just get behind the wheel.
3. Chronic gastritis, stomach ulcer, cirrhosis of the liver, urolithiasis are banned from the use of bread kvass.
4. 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.

Diet properties

Kvass, made from natural products by the method of live fermentation, is recognized by doctors as an excellent dietary drink. With low acidity, nutritionists advise taking half a glass of tasty 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 exceed the harm:

• Kvass-based diets show a high weight loss result.
• They have a beneficial effect on the health of those who are 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 blood level becomes higher, the sugar content decreases, and a feeling of satiety arises.
• There is a natural bowel cleansing.
• The metabolic processes in the body are restored.
• The mood rises.

Calorie content

The calorie content of natural bread kvass is 27 kilocalories per 100 g of the drink. The calorie content can deviate up or down, depending on the product that was used in the manufacture of kvass:

• Beetroot - 12 kcal
• Apple - 26 kcal
• Honey - cranberry - 40 kcal
• Ginger - 9 kcal

A commercially 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 tasty drink or use it with discretion. With increased acidity, heartburn becomes an unpleasant consequence of the use of kvass.
• Cereal allergies can also interfere with the intake of fermented bread liquid.
• Due to the alcohol content in the drink, it is unacceptable to give kvass to children under 3 years old, from 3 to 7 years old it is worth limiting its amount to a small dose.

Is it possible for 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 eats mother's milk may experience colic, bloating due to gas.

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.

There are many useful substances in the fermented drink that determine its medicinal properties:

Micro and macro elements are present 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.

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 when to stop.

You should not drink a fermenting drink for a driver who is going on a flight. Recently created sensitive breathalyzers will certainly show the minimum dose of alcohol in the blood, which is fraught with the loss of rights and a fine.

Storage

It is better to pour ready-made kvass into portioned bottles made of plastic or glass with tight screw caps.

It is better to keep bottles with a drink in the refrigerator, laying on its side.

The shelf life of homemade kvass at a temperature of +5 degrees is 7 - 10 days.

The shelf life of a purchase from a store is indicated on the packaging. Preservatives and stabilizers are usually added to finished kvass, so that the shelf life of such a product in an unopened package is much longer. But the health benefits of such a drink are very doubtful.

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 a dark package. Sunlight has a negative effect on the finished product; in the dark, beneficial properties are better and longer.

The longer the shelf life of the drink, the more chemical preservatives it contains. It is better to refuse to purchase such a drink.

Ask about 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 little.

What to combine well with

On the basis of kvass, everyone's favorite cold soups are prepared: okroshka, tyuryu, botvinya.

The drink goes well with many products:

1. With vegetables - potatoes, cucumbers, horseradish, carrots, radishes;
2. With herbs - celery, dill, parsley, onions, sorrel, nettle, mint, lemon balm;
3. With cereals - buckwheat, millet, wheat, barley;
4. With berries - strawberries, cranberries, sea buckthorn, cherries;
5. With bread;
6. With meat and meat products - sausage, ham;
7. With dairy products - kefir, sour cream, cottage cheese, whey;
8. With chicken egg;
9. With vegetable oils.

Kvass and spices (pepper), lemon, raisins, apples, pears are well combined. The combination also depends on your gastronomic preferences.

It is easy to make kvass at home, there are different recipes on the Internet, and the store will offer you a concentrate for kvass (or kvass wort). Indulge in a delicious homemade drink that has obvious benefits and healing properties.

It is good to drink cool kvass in the summer heat, it refreshes, invigorates and ... the question arises, is it kvass? And is the product sold in barrels and bottles healthy? What is so special about kvass, and is it true that you cannot drink it while driving?

Where did he come from?

Kvass Is a primordially Slavic drink, it has been known for thousands of years. Kvass is mentioned in ancient chronicles, and its recipes are passed down through generations. Each region or village has its own branded kvass recipes. What do you think kvass is made of? From bread, you will answer, and you will not be entirely right - after all, kvass was prepared from almost any available product.

Distinguished between rowan and beet kvass, cloudberry and raspberry, strawberry and barberry. Apples and pears, lingonberries and currants went to kvass, but that's not all. There may be thick kvass, with mint and cinnamon, kvass for okroshka, daily, ginger, white or red kvass, kvass from currant leaves and even Icelandic moss!

One of the kvass recipes is called "sour cabbage soup" and is brewed from two varieties of malt with the addition of buckwheat yeast, diluted in a special proportion with water. Unfortunately, in modern cities such drinks are unlikely to be found, the main recipe for kvass is bread kvass - it is made industrially and at home, fermenting in cans and containers.

Properties of kvass

Due to its special composition, kvass perfectly quenches thirst and even saturates in the heat, increases activity and gives strength for work, activates digestion processes, resulting in improved appetite, it also helps in the digestion of fatty and meat dishes, restores the balance of liquid and salts in organism.

Kvass contains enough microelements and vitamins, especially it is rich in B vitamins. Due to the formation of organic acids during fermentation, kvass is able to stimulate the acidity of the stomach, and it is very useful to use it for atrophic gastritis with decreased gastric secretion. Kvass contains a lot of vitamin C and in Ancient Russia it was used as a cure for scurvy and general exhaustion.

Due to the formation of lactic acid and some other acids during fermentation, kvass, when it enters the intestine, has an effect on it, similar to kefir and yogurt, kills harmful flora, maintaining its useful one. Thus, kvass is an excellent prevention of intestinal disorders and dysbiosis.

And there are also indications in ancient manuscripts that kvass strengthened male potency, a special recipe for kvass was given to young men on their wedding day so that they give healthy offspring. Alas, the recipe has not survived, but most likely any high-quality kvass will do, as it is rich in vitamins and nutrients, which is extremely important for passionate nights.

Earlier in Russia, a sweet variety of kvass with honey and raisins was considered a sign of prosperity, it was the drink of the rich, the poor drank simple beetroot or bread kvass. Previously, kvass was drunk all year round, changing recipes depending on the season and available products. And during the fast, this drink was one of the ways to maintain immunity and strength, along with onions and a crumb of black bread. Now almost no one follows such refined diets, although there were many slender people among the Slavs.

Nowadays, kvass is traditionally considered a summer drink, but even today it has not lost its value - according to scientists, due to its high calcium content, it strengthens tooth enamel, saturates well and gives few calories, so it can be used in diets. The yeast included in the kvass helps in the treatment of pustules on the skin, acne and boils, with purulent bronchitis, atherosclerosis of large vessels.

In addition, kvass made from natural products at home can be effectively used for hair growth and strengthening of their structure; you need to rinse your hair with kvass after washing.

To whom kvass is contraindicated

Are there any downsides?

Despite all the positive aspects of kvass, it also has some negative aspects. Kvass due to active lactic and fruit acids should not be consumed by people with hyperacid gastritis and peptic ulcer disease even in remission - it can provoke an exacerbation, cause heartburn and discomfort.

Important! The harm and benefits of kvass / shutterstock.com

Kvass is also contraindicated for people with oncology and problems with the liver and biliary tract, stones in the gallbladder. It must be taken carefully in case of kidney disease and urolithiasis. Kvass causes fermentation in the intestines and can cause discomfort in the digestion of people with bowel disease colitis or enteritis.

Kvass should not be allowed for allergy sufferers with a reaction to yeast, cereals, especially oatmeal, celiac disease and a reaction to alcohol. Although there is very little alcohol in kvass, you should be careful in consuming it.

Also, do not drink kvass while driving - there may be trouble with the traffic police, especially when consuming homemade drinks.

Kvass for pregnant women and children

It is not recommended to use kvass during pregnancy, lactation and children under the age of 3-5 years, or its consumption should be sharply limited - you can drink no more than a glass of homemade kvass per day. Do not drink store-bought bottle concentrates. This is due to the fact that in some sorts of kvass the alcohol dose is increased to 1.5%, and two liters of such kvass will be equivalent to a bottle of light beer.

Of course, there are varieties of kvass obtained without alcoholic fermentation, but they can cause seething and loosening of the stool in the stomach, which is also not a positive side during pregnancy and in childhood. In addition, kvass can cause fluid retention and edema.

Kvass sold from barrels

Not all modern housewives know how to put kvass themselves or do not have time for it. Then we buy kvass on tap from kegs or barrels on the streets. When buying such kvass, you need to understand that this is a rather serious thing - the question of the "liveliness" of the product must be determined. If it is a concentrate, the taste and benefits will be questionable.

First of all, before buying, check the bottling date and availability of all certificates, ask how often the barrels are washed. The shelf life of a filled barrel is no more than three days, and the kvass must be cold when purchased, otherwise it is not a living product, but an ordinary kvass lemonade made from diluted powder, or it has already expired.

Kvass in bottles

Naturally, this kvass can only be called a conditionally natural product. When buying, you should pay attention to such things:

• real kvass may be cloudy and may sediment at the bottom of the bottle,
• real kvass is not stored for a long time, it has a short shelf life,
• carefully study the composition - there should be sugar, yeast, malt and water.
• look on the label for a mark that the product is obtained by fermentation.

You should be alerted that the drink is with gases, or an indication that the drink was made from kvass concentrates. Concentrates are not used in the production of live kvass. The more E letters in the composition on the label, the further this kvass lemonade is from the usefulness of the drink. The benefits of such a drink are generally questionable.

Greetings, my dear fitnyashechki and swing! Summer, heat, and the main foamy non-alcoholic attribute has already firmly taken its place on the streets of the city ... So, as you probably already guessed, today we will talk about drinking in the heat, namely, find out what is kvass useful for? After reading you will learn everything about this drink, its benefits, recipes and the right way to choose and buy.

What, on a mug? Why not!

Why kvass is useful: FAQ of questions and answers

Well, I would like to start by saying that this is the second article from the summer cycle, in which we are talking exclusively about the main attributes of this season of the year, therefore, if you have not yet paid your respects to the article about, then you are welcome, we we go further and today we will talk about kvass.

I am sure there is no Russian person who is not personally familiar with this non-alcoholic foamy drink. As soon as summer comes, yellow branded kvass trailers are dumped onto the streets and saleswomen, most often young people, begin to “steam” the population. Despite the fact that kvass can be made at home and even bought in a store, most people still like kvass from a keg, there is some kind of romance in it - to stand in line, get coins, watch the liqueur, take a misted glass, blow off foam and finally grunt it. However, what do you know about kvass, why we love it so much, and is there anything useful in it? This is what we have to find out further in the text.

Note:
For better assimilation of the material, all further narration will be divided into subchapters.

What is kvass useful for and what kind of drink is it?

Kvass is a traditional Slavic sour drink prepared on the basis of fermentation (unfinished alcohol and lactic acid) from flour and malt or from black or rye bread. According to the Russian standard, it is classified as a non-alcoholic beverage, and the ethyl alcohol content from fermentation is less than 1,2%. The average alcohol content is 0,5-1% .

The main ingredient in kvass is rye, which is a good source of B- vitamins. 1 and B- 6 , E, magnesium, phosphorus and amino acids. Kvass is also a source of lactic / acetic acids and simple sugars. The former provides relatively good thirst quenching, the latter provides sufficient energy to maintain short-term physical activity. Thanks to carbonic acid, which facilitates digestion and absorption of food, kvass helps to improve digestion. Kvass enzymes have a beneficial effect on the digestive tract and gastric motility.

The main advantages include:

• low calorie content (about 20-40 kcal per 100 gr);
• probiotic activity (high content of live microcultures);
• contains a wide range of nutrients including vitamin B- 12 and the mineral manganese;
• acts as a "tonic" of blood (tonic);
• high ability to quench thirst;
• aid in the digestion of food and normalization of the stool.

As for the nutritional value and nutritional profile of kvass, it is like this.

What is kvass useful for an athlete and a person leading a healthy lifestyle?

A standard fit-baby or kachenok has an established diet, on which they try to “sit” for a long time, rarely making adjustments to it. However, summer is exactly the period when you should make adjustments to your grocery basket and add (including) non-building products. Yes, kvass is not a protein product, and it will not make your muscles grow like yeast, but it has 2 extremely useful properties that no protein will ever give you. So, get acquainted ...

Property number 1

In modern foods - vegetables / fruits, the content of probiotics (good bacteria) extremely few, and since the athlete must eat a minimum 5 once a day, stomach problems often occur, food does not have time to be digested, rots in the intestines and causes various “animal” problems. This question is especially acute for girls of a thin body type (). These representatives cannot "cram" so much food into themselves, and if they can, it often causes a malfunction in the digestive tract and toilet gatherings.

Kvass is a powerful probiotic and has positive effects on gastrointestinal health and strengthening the immune system, making nutrients more available to the body. A person who includes kvass in his diet on some constant basis has a high chance of improving the situation with the work of his digestive system and improving his appetite.

Property number 2

Training in the summer is a serious stress for the body, high temperatures outside and lack of adequate ventilation in the gym can negatively affect human health. In the process of high physical activity in the body, the water-salt balance is disturbed and the usual intake of water does not qualitatively solve the problem. As a result, blood acidification (acidosis) may occur, which will negatively affect the training, more precisely, the possibility of its completion.

Kvass well regulates and restores the water-salt balance, and therefore it is optimal to take it (together with water) during classes in a hot room. He will give strength, invigorate and help to carry out the entire workout at a high ideological level.

Kvass is sweet, will it make me fat?

What is any fit and bodybuilder afraid of? It is correct that this or that sweet product will be deposited on her waist, and the arrow on the scales will move to the right. However, it is not worth worrying that kvass will do its "fat job", and here is why. The amount of carbohydrates is 4-7 gr (no more 2% ) from the daily value of a person, and the glycemic index (GI) in the range 30-45 units (depending on the recipe).

The only thing that can lead a person to an increase in the percentage of adipose tissue can be store-bought canned kvass. This drink has a GI in 1,5-2 times higher than home / street from barrels. Therefore, ladies, you can drink kvass and not be afraid of a set of extra kilos, it just has to be home made or cistern-street options.

So, we have laid some theoretical base, now we will deal with the practical side, namely, let's talk about ...

How to choose store and draft kvass?

Theory is, of course, good, but you can't quench your thirst for it :). Therefore, the following information will help you choose a decent and correct foamy drink.

Ideal kvass contains only:

• sourdough;
• sugar;
• water;
• rye malt.

And on the reverse side there should be a mark “double fermentation kvass”. This is the kind of kvass you should look for on the shelves of shops / supermarkets. Due to the high popularity of this drink in Russia, such large foreign companies as PepsiСo, Coca-Сola are interested in kvass as a product for sale in the Russian Federation and release their own brands: “Russian Dar”, “Kruzhka i Bochka”. However, our (Russian) companies hold the palm in this market: Deka (brand "Nikola") and Ochakovsky.

Often, instead of kvass, especially in supermarkets, many synthetic surrogates are sold (kvass drinks)which consist of water, carbon dioxide solution, sweeteners and taste simulants. Such "kvass" should be avoided.

So, when you decide to buy kvass in a store, always take into account the following.

To understand the choice of the street version of kvass - draft, such a memo will help you (clickable).

I think our article about kvass would not be complete if we didn’t know what simple and correct options for its preparation are, so get acquainted ...

Homemade kvass recipes

Below are the most simple and varied recipes for kvass, among which everyone will find something close to their kitchen abilities :).

Actually, I consider the topic of kvass closed on this, let's summarize all the information voiced.

Afterword

Today we quenched our thirst and learned how kvass is useful, as well as how to make it yourself. I am sure that now you will reconsider your attitude (in the positive direction) to this foamy drink, and your summer will become not only fresh, but also a little under the shaf :).

Arividerchi, friends!

PS. And you buy kvass in the summer, what kind?

With respect and gratitude, Dmitry Protasov.

The popularity of kvass is high these days. 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 healing remedy for various diseases. Russia is called the homeland of kvass, but in Ancient Egypt a drink similar to it was made. 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 health and longevity for people. People who kept vats with kvass in their home, according to folk signs, promised prosperity. How is homemade kvass useful? What useful qualities are contained in this most valuable drink?

Composition and calorie content of kvass

Nowadays, you can cook kvass at home. If there is no desire to use a homemade recipe for preparing the specified 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, beetroot, bread, apple, fragrant, sour or sweet. In the manufacture of each type of drink, the corresponding ingredients are used. As a rule, any kind of kvass contains the following components:

• Water;
• Alimentary fiber;
• Alcohol;
• Monosaccharides;
• Organic acids;
• Ash;
• Starch and others.

When making homemade kvass, only natural ingredients are used, for example, malt, beets, bread, dried apricots, raisins or other additives.

When the question arises, is kvass useful? - it is enough to pay attention to its chemical composition. Depending on the ingredients in the preparation of this drink, one can judge its own benefits. Any kind of kvass contains the entire subgroup of B vitamins, so the drink becomes the most valuable medicinal and prophylactic agent for various ailments.

How many calories are in kvass? This drink belongs to low-calorie, so it can be used 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. This tasty drink can be consumed during the period of illness, as well as as an effective prophylaxis 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 helps to normalize the digestive tract.
• Kvass is also useful for tooth enamel, the use of the drink helps to strengthen it.
• For men, kvass has only a positive effect. It has been proven that the course use of the drink helps to increase potency, as well as to rid the body of "male" diseases.
• The drink has a positive effect on the performance of the heart system. Kvass is recommended for people who are at risk of developing a heart attack or stroke.
• Kvass is widely used as a drink in various diets. Due to its low calorie content, it is recommended to drink it for obesity. But kvass is also a part of therapeutic diets, for example, for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The drink contributes to the destruction of pathogens, and also promotes the activation of metabolic processes.
• Kvass, the benefits and harms of which have been proven, is useful to use in conjunction with meat dishes. The drink helps to enhance the 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.

The harm of kvass

If kvass is prepared correctly, that is, in compliance with all the necessary recommendations, then it does not have any harmful effect 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 use as a healthy drink, otherwise this can provoke an acute indigestion or even poisoning.

Can i drink kvass while driving? Any kvass contains alcohol. How much alcohol is in kvass depends on the ingredients used in the preparation of the drink. But in any case, it causes slight intoxication due to the alcohol content in small proportions. If, nevertheless, a trip by car after consuming kvass is necessary, then it is recommended to wait a little (about 30 minutes) after consuming kvass, and then get behind the steering wheel.

Roughly the same aspects are important to consider for nursing mothers. It is undesirable to use kvass during breastfeeding. The alcohol contained in the drink can negatively 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 category of patients are forbidden to drink kvass, since the drink is capable of provoking the development of exacerbations of the corresponding diseases. Drinking the drink is contraindicated for gastritis, liver cirrhosis, hypertension.

Bread kvass

The most common type of kvass is bread or rye. The preparation of the drink is based on 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 helps to normalize the work of the digestive tract by enhancing the work of metabolic processes;
• bread kvass has antimicrobial properties, 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 thirst quencher, while it is better to drink it chilled;
• due to the content of vitamin C, rye kvass becomes an excellent prophylactic agent against the occurrence of heart and vascular diseases. Regular consumption of the drink helps to stabilize the rate of blood cholesterol;
• Many doctors recommend drinking bread kvass for frequent bouts of heartburn. Moreover, this drink is part of therapeutic diets for diseases of the pancreas;
• a drink is shown for diabetes mellitus, but in this version it is necessary to drink it in small proportions;
• rye kvass has medicinal properties for inflammatory diseases of the liver and kidneys. The only condition for effective care is that the disease is not neglected.

But bread kvass can be harmful. For example, it is forbidden to drink to small children due to the alcohol content 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\u200brye bread. Cover the container with the drink with a gauze cloth and put it in a dark place for a couple of days. As soon as the kvass has a sour taste, the drink can be considered cooked. Before direct use, it is recommended to strain the kvass, and the remaining thick can be used to re-prepare the kvass.

Kvass from birch sap

A drink prepared on the basis of birch sap is not very common in Russia. But it has unique and beneficial qualities.

How to make kvass from birch sap? The preparation of the drink is based on mixing birch sap with compressed yeast. Lactic bacteria serve as an additional component, which give great benefits to the prepared kvass.

Kvass from birch sap has unique medicinal properties: it normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, enriches the body with nutrients, improves overall physical strength and performance.

If desired, you can add other ingredients to kvass, for example, honey, raisins, rose hips, cranberries, oranges. The recipe for kvass from birch sap with honey is popular for its medicinal qualities. The finished drink is useful for colds and respiratory tract infections.

Chicory kvass

Making kvass from chicory at home is quite simple. The basis of the 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 increases 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 beet kvass is used, the beneficial properties and contraindications for use are always individual. This drink serves as a natural liver cleanser, but you can drink it only on the recommendation of doctors.

Homemade kvass belongs to those drinks that fall in love with from the first sip, but its popularity is created not only by its pleasant taste, but also by many useful qualities. Diet kvass can improve health in a variety of areas. And thanks to the variety of recipes, you will never get bored.

What can be said about the features and benefits of homemade kvass

In ancient times, kvass was one of the most popular drinks - its intoxicated varieties were put on the festive table, and practically non-alcoholic ones - they drank every day, cooked a jail with it. Kvass quenched thirst well, restored strength and, most importantly, was a safe drink, unlike plain water, which often became a source of disease.

Kvass was famous in Russia and European countries. In the West, by the way, it is sometimes classified as "beer", but historians of everyday life single out kvass in a separate group of drinks that are not similar to anything.

Most varieties of kvass belong to the most low-alcohol drinks, in terms of this quality they are actually comparable to kefir, which means they are completely harmless to health.

There are plenty of reasons to prefer homemade kvass to store kvass.

A drink prepared with your own hands will definitely not contain flavors, stabilizers, dyes and other chemical additives.

In addition, the industrial range in terms of taste is not so good and wide.

The energy value of homemade kvass (for example, bread kvass) is only 27 kcal per 100 g of product, which makes it possible to add it even to the lowest-calorie diets.

Kvass contains a number of vitamins - group B (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin), C and E.

And minerals - phosphorus, molybdenum, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, cobalt.

Plus - 8 essential amino acids, mono- and disaccharides, starch, organic acids (lactic and acetic) and enzymes.

Thanks to homemade kvass:

Immunity is strengthened;

Disrupted metabolic processes are restored;

Improves tissue regeneration (including bone fusion);

Blood counts are normalized;

The risk of developing vitamin deficiency is reduced.

The fundamental benefits of homemade kvass are formed in the process of unfinished lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation of the drink.

You can make homemade kvass either from a store concentrate, which is simply poured with water and infused until cooked, or from individual ingredients, and it should be noted that the second option usually tastes better.

The most popular is bread kvass made from rye bread croutons, yeast, sugar, water, wheat or rye malt.

Actually, many varieties of kvass are generally based on this recipe, for example, white, made from wheat bread and, above all, recommended for okroshka.

Crackers in kvass are sometimes replaced with flour - rye, wheat, even buckwheat and corn.

The added raisins add light effervescence to kvass.

The variety of kvass varieties is created by adding herbs (often medicinal), spices, fruit juices, berries and vegetables. There is yeast-free kvass, milk and kvass on birch sap.

Homemade kvass is supposed to be stored in a cool dark place, and it is most delicious to drink chilled.

Being primarily a drink, kvass is also used for making soups (okroshka, chorba), dough, sauces and gravies, marinating meat and fish (the drink itself and kvass wort are suitable for marinades).

How composition details affect the benefits of homemade kvass

Differences in the composition of kvass, of course, make adjustments to its properties, so it is useful to know about the specific features of its individual, very popular varieties:

Ginger-lemon - accelerates lipid (fat) metabolism and optimizes calorie consumption during intense physical activity, and also acts as an antioxidant;

Beetroot - a high content of bioflavonoids, including pigments (betalains), endow it with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, it is useful for deworming the body and treating chronic constipation;

Pear (slightly reminiscent of pear cider) - relieves symptoms of cystitis, softens dry cough, normalizes blood clotting and improves mood;

Honey - speeds up recovery from the flu, cleanses the blood, improves heart function and energizes the brain with simple sugars.

When will homemade kvass be useful?

Homemade kvass is useful for the digestive system because:

Enhances the production of gastric juice;

Stimulates appetite;

Prevents the development of dysbiosis;

Suppresses the growth and destroys pathogenic bacteria in the stomach and intestines (it has been proven that even typhoid bacillus dies in kvass);

When taken regularly, relieves heartburn;

Treats gastritis with low acidity;

Prevents increased gas formation;

Facilitates the assimilation of heavy and fatty meat food (if you drink it 15-30 minutes before meals);

And it improves digestion in general.

And also, kvass increases the sensitivity of taste buds, which simply cannot but affect the improvement of appetite and an increase in the pleasure of each meal.

Acids from kvass help cleanse the body of toxins and toxins, under their influence, diseased and dead cells are broken down and removed from the body.

Healing the pancreas, kvass (thanks to yeast) stimulates the production of insulin and thus can be useful in diabetes mellitus.

The benefits of yeast fungi are also expressive for the vessels, which under the influence of kvass become more elastic, elastic and are cleared of cholesterol plaques, which can be considered as the prevention of atherosclerotic diseases.

Biologically active substances and a group of B vitamins from the kvass composition have a positive effect on female beauty, helping to cleanse the skin, smooth wrinkles, accelerate hair growth and strengthen nails.

In addition, with the help of homemade kvass it is possible:

Reduce cravings for alcoholic beverages;

Remove excess fluid from the body (through improving the functioning of the urinary system and increasing sweating in hot weather);

Get rid of symptoms of chronic fatigue and improve performance;

Strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay;

Improve vision.

What is the harm of homemade kvass

Despite the fact that the alcohol content in kvass is minimal, it still should not be given to children under 3 years old, and also, so that there is no harm from homemade kvass, it is not recommended to drink it in large quantities for women expecting the birth of a baby and those who have a lot of time spends driving or is busy at work that requires concentration and quick reaction.

In homemade kvass there is no harm in its pure form for hypertensive patients, but its use should be limited during the period of taking medications to lower blood pressure.

It is also reasonable, in order to avoid harm from homemade kvass, to completely abandon it for the following diseases:

Acidic gastritis;

Ulcers of the stomach and duodenum;

Enterocolitis;

Cirrhosis of the liver;

Renal failure;

Urolithiasis.

An unambiguous contraindication to the use of kvass is an allergy to cereals.