• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2016

Kefir, originating from Caucasus, is an acidic, alcoholic fermented milk product with little acidic taste and a creamy consistency. It is recognized in having beneficial effects infor the prevention and treatment of cancer. For example, Kefir has possesses a chemopreventative effect on carcinogenesis. There has recently been a strong focus on fermented milk foods containing a mixture of several functional organic substances and various probiotic microorganisms. Hence, the purpose of this review paper was to evaluate the scientific evidence for the effects of kefir on cancer prevention and treatment. Some of we analyzed and summarized data-relating to the effects of kefir on cancer. The cacers that kefir has an effect on are as follows: colon cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, sarcoma, skin cancer, gastric cancer. This review suggests that (1) kefir could be associated with cancer prevention, (2) kefir has beneficial effects in cancer treatment, and (3) kefir has various bioactive components including peptides, polysaccharides and sphingolipids, which contribute tofor itsthese anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, furthermore, studies were performed in order to obtain as to get the scientific evidence of kefir's anticancer activity: (1) improved protective effectiveness in vivo (human subjects or animal model), (2) isolation and identification of various bioactive components, and (3) mechanisms associated with beneficial effects.