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Review
. 2021 Jan:133:110974.
doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110974. Epub 2020 Nov 11.

Kefir: A protective dietary supplementation against viral infection

Reham Samir Hamida  1 , Ashwag Shami  2 , Mohamed Abdelaal Ali  3 , Zakiah Nasser Almohawes  4 , Afrah E Mohammed  5 , Mashael Mohammed Bin-Meferij  6
Affiliations
Review

Kefir: A protective dietary supplementation against viral infection

Reham Samir Hamida et al. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a recently discovered coronavirus termed 'severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2' (SARS-CoV-2). Several scholars have tested antiviral drugs and compounds to overcome COVID-19. 'Kefir' is a fermented milk drink similar to a thin yogurt that is made from kefir grains. Kefir and its probiotic contents can modulate the immune system to suppress infections from viruses (e.g., Zika, hepatitis C, influenza, rotaviruses). The antiviral mechanisms of kefir involve enhancement of macrophage production, increasing phagocytosis, boosting production of cluster of differentiation-positive (CD4+), CD8+, immunoglobulin (Ig)G+ and IgA+ B cells, T cells, neutrophils, as well as cytokines (e.g., interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, interferon gamma-γ). Kefir can act as an anti-inflammatory agent by reducing expression of IL-6, IL-1, TNF-α, and interferon-γ. Hence, kefir might be a significant inhibitor of the 'cytokine storm' that contributes to COVID-19. Here, we review several studies with a particular emphasis on the effect of kefir consumption and their microbial composition against viral infection, as well as discussing the further development of kefir as a protective supplementary dietary against SARS-CoV-2 infection via modulating the immune response.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Antiviral activity; Coronaviru; Immune system; Kefir.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Structure of SARS-CoV-2.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Lifecycle of coronaviruses.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Potential mechanism of action of kefir against viral infection. (A) Kefir enhances the immune response by stimulating cytokine production, including interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-2, and IL-12. (B) Kefir inhibits the inflammatory response by suppressing cytokine production, such as IL-6, IL-1 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Antiviral activities of kefir.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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