Tibicos & Water Kefir Crystals: Exploring Traditional Uses & Health Benefits

Tibicos or water kefir crystals are gelatinous, symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeasts held together by a polysaccharide matrix or “biofilm” secreted by bacteria.[7] Water kefir and its crystals have traditionally been used to ferment milk (kefir) or fruit juices to prepare tibicos or "ginger beer/ginger ale plant".[5] The bacteria ferment lactose sugar (or sugars found in fruit juices of the juice used as substrates).[7]

While water kefir itself can be beneficial by aiding the body to better absorb some essential vitamins, tibicos themselves and any potential benefits of taking dry kefir grains orally to combat various aliments and illnesses such as cancer are largely unsubstantiated and lack quality clinical scientific backing, despite anecdotal praise, claims and testimonials.[2