Two additions to the probably positive effects on health:
1. The author rightfully mentions it, but I'll repeat it nevertheless because fermented foods are often only characterized as "healthy" without any mention for their taste properties: it can simply be delicious. I stopped drinking soda in favor for water kefir [1], and I'm not missing Coke/Fanta/... It takes me 10 minutes to brew every two days and it's yummy.
2. When you make it, you know what's in it. My homebrew kefir is just water, sugar, figs, lemon, sometimes ginger, sometimes maple syrup (and kefir, of course). No concern for unknown colorants/conservatives/additives.
1. The author rightfully mentions it, but I'll repeat it nevertheless because fermented foods are often only characterized as "healthy" without any mention for their taste properties: it can simply be delicious. I stopped drinking soda in favor for water kefir [1], and I'm not missing Coke/Fanta/... It takes me 10 minutes to brew every two days and it's yummy.
2. When you make it, you know what's in it. My homebrew kefir is just water, sugar, figs, lemon, sometimes ginger, sometimes maple syrup (and kefir, of course). No concern for unknown colorants/conservatives/additives.
[1] http://nourishedkitchen.com/water-kefir/