Kefir and Reduced HOMA-IR

Research synthesisModerate evidenceMixed effect size3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects on HOMA-IR, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. Two meta-analyses found large reductions (WMD -2.56, 95% CI: -3.82 to -1.30; MD -1.71, p=0.004), while a single RCT observed a small within-group decrease that was not statistically significant compared to the placebo (unfermented milk) group. The median study duration was 84 days (from one study).

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Additionally, the one RCT that directly compared kefir to unfermented milk found no significant between-group difference, suggesting the effect may be small or confounded by placebo.

Generated Jul 14, 2026

Doses used in studies

mL/day: 180 (median 180, IQR 180–180) — 1 study

Time to effect

Median: 2.8 months · IQR 2.8 months–2.8 months · Range 2.8 months–2.8 months — Reported in 1 of 3 studies

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Effects of Kefir Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- 2023-05
- Meta-Analysis · n = 314
- Current drug targets 24(7)
- - Farveh Yahyapoor
  - Neda Haghighat
  - Zahra Sohrabi
  - Omid Asbaghi
  - Mohammad Bagherniya
  - Tannaz Jamialahmadi
  - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- PubMed: 37102491
- DOI: 10.2174/1389450124666230427095742
9 Insights on
- Reduced HOMA-IR
- High evidence
HOMA-IR (WMD: -2.56, 95% CI: -3.82 to -1.30, p<0.001, I² = 19.4%)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Significant
Yes
Effect of different kefir dosages on inflammation status, metabolic profile, and anthropometric measurements in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- 2026-05
- Meta-Analysis
- Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD 36(5)
- - Mohammed Hamsho
  - Razan Hawari
  - Zehra Yeşil
  - Zeina Dakhel
  - Derya Dursun Saydam
  - Merve Terzi
  - Yazan Ranneh
- PubMed: 41076330
- DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2025.104364
10 Insights on
- Reduced HOMA-IR
- High evidence
Kefir consumption induced a significant reduction of ... HOMA-IR (MD= -1.71, p = 0.004)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Significant
Yes
Effects of Regular Kefir Consumption on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Parallel-Group, Randomized, Controlled Study.
- 2019-09-04
- RCT
- Nutrients 11(9)
- - Ezgi Bellikci-Koyu
  - Banu Pınar Sarer-Yurekli
  - Yakut Akyon
  - Fadime Aydin-Kose
  - Cem Karagozlu
  - Ahmet Gokhan Ozgen
  - Annika Brinkmann
  - Andreas Nitsche
  - Koray Ergunay
  - Engin Yilmaz
  - Zehra Buyuktuncer
- PubMed: 31487797
- DOI: 10.3390/nu11092089
6 Insights on
- Reduced HOMA-IR
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed a significant decrease by the intervention of kefir (p ≤ 0.05, for each). However, no significant difference was obtained between the kefir and unfermented milk groups (p > 0.05 for each).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
180 mL/day

Kefir and Reduced HOMA-IR

Effects of Kefir Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Effect of different kefir dosages on inflammation status, metabolic profile, and anthropometric measurements in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Effects of Regular Kefir Consumption on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Parallel-Group, Randomized, Controlled Study.