Evaluation of Anti-Hyperglycemic and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activities of Water Kefir as Probiotic on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a predominant chronic disease which causes mortality of millions of people yearly. Its prevalence is on the rise worldwide. Water kefir is fermented food produced by a matrix of polysaccharides containing bacteria and yeasts, with therapeutic properties. Our study aimed to evaluate anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activities of water kefir on streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Adult Wistar rats were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, and were given or not kefir in drinking water for 5 weeks. Body weight, glucose and lipid levels were measured. The results demonstrated evident improvement in body weight, glucose, and lipid profiles of treated rats comparing with diabetic or control rats. Water kefir is found to be less cost hypoglycemic and hypolipidimic treatment and less time consuming. Water kefir can potentially be useful food for diabetes to control glucose and lipid levels.