Traditional kefir reduces weight gain and improves plasma and liver lipid profiles more successfully than a commercial equivalent in a mouse model of obesity

Abstract

Kefir, a fermented milk beverage, has shown promise in alleviating obesity and associated metabolic dysfunction. However, microbial characteristics are variable among traditional kefirs, and commercial kefirs drastically differ from traditional kefir. This study investigated the ability of four traditional and one commercial kefir to control weight gain, plasma cholesterol, and liver triglycerides in a high fat diet-induced obesity mouse model. Two traditional kefirs decreased weight gain and plasma cholesterol levels. Conversely, commercial kefir had no beneficial effect. Additionally, one of the four traditional kefirs lowered liver triglycerides, which corresponded with decreases in the expression of fatty acid synthase, a gene involved in liver lipogenesis. Together with evidence of gut microbiome modulation, this study shows that traditional kefir has the potential for improving metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity. Notably, differences in kefir microbial populations may influence the ability of traditional kefir to positively impact host metabolic health.