A 55p superfood drink could help fight the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study. This beverage, which is packed with probiotics, has been shown to improve symptoms of the condition in a new study.

The findings, published in the journal Brain Behaviour and Immunity Integrative, showed that kefir had the potential to boost cognitive function. Kefir is a fermented milk drink that has long been touted for its gut health benefits. 

As part of the review, a team analysed seven existing studies, including one involving human participants, that considered the effect of kefir on the brain. 

The scientists included seven studies in their review, including one that involved human participants. They were interested in whether the probiotics found in kefir could be as beneficial to the brain as the gut.

Study authors wrote: “Recently, potential role of probiotics in managing Alzheimer’s has been explored. Kefir, a fermented food teeming with live microorganisms, is thought to influence the gut microbiota, potentially reducing inflammation and the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain. 

“Additionally, kefir contains bioactive compounds, such as B vitamins, choline, and folic acid, which are essential for neuronal health and cognitive function. Thus, kefir could emerge as a promising complementary treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.”

The review examined the effects of kefir in both animal models and human patients with neurodegenerative conditions in a total of seven studies. They continued: “In animal models, the primary outcomes were antioxidant effects, reduced beta-amyloid deposition, and attenuation of vascular damage and neurodegeneration.

“In human studies, kefir supplementation resulted in decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and oxidative proteins, and was associated with improvements in memory.”

They concluded: “Given its potential benefits, kefir could serve as a valuable adjunct to conventional treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, warranting further investigation in clinical settings.”

The study they analysed that involved human participants was published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity journal in 2020. The trial lasted 90 days and involved 13 people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Before they had any kefir, the participants underwent a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to establish their cognitive abilities. Data on their inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress was also established.

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They were given a daily kefir dose of 2ml per kilogram of body weight. After the 90 days the scientists noted that they showed a 66% improvement in memory tests and a 29% improvement in their baseline MMSE.

Further to this, the participants showed improvement in their inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. The study said: “In conclusion, we demonstrated that kefir improves cognitive deficits, which seems to be linked with three important factors of the Alzheimer’s disease – systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood cell damage – and may be a promising adjuvant therapy against the Alzheimer’s disease progression.”

However, the review authors noted that an older study did not yield the same cognitive results, so they said further research in humans is needed. Currently, a one litre carton of kefir can be bought from Asda for £2.20, which works out as 55p per serving.