Kefir’s Growing Role in Bone Health Research
Kefir, a fermented dairy drink rich in probiotics and bioactive compounds, is gaining attention as a potential nutritional tool for osteoporosis prevention. A new review summarising recent evidence highlights how kefir-derived peptides, probiotics, and exopolysaccharides may support bone strength in postmenopausal women and older adults, who bear the highest burden of osteoporosis.
Peptides That Stimulate Bone Formation
The strongest evidence so far centres on kefir-derived peptides. Across several animal studies, these peptides demonstrated osteoprotective effects by promoting osteoblast differentiation, enhancing bone mineralisation and reducing oxidative stress. Many of these peptides also show ACE-inhibitory and antioxidant activity, mechanisms that may counteract bone loss and help maintain skeletal integrity.
Benefits of Probiotics and Exopolysaccharides
Beyond peptides, kefir contains additional compounds with potential therapeutic value. Kefir-derived probiotics and the exopolysaccharide kefiran were shown to mitigate bone loss through modulation of the gut microbiome, improved immune balance and reduced inflammation. These findings align with growing evidence connecting gut health and bone metabolism.
A Promising but Early-Stage Approach
While the available data are promising, most studies were conducted in animal models. The authors emphasise that rigorous human trials are needed to confirm kefir’s long-term impact on bone health, determine effective dosing and evaluate whether specific kefir formulations outperform others. However, they conclude that kefir’s unique combination of bioactive ingredients positions it as a potentially valuable, natural addition to future osteoporosis management strategies.
Reference
Lai JC et al. Potential of Kefir-Derived Peptides, Probiotics, and Exopolysaccharides for Osteoporosis Management. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2025;23(1):18.
