It may not appeal to craft-beer snobs, but Brazilian researchers have developed an ale made from kefir — a fermented yogurt-like drink — that is loaded with probiotics and may offer health benefits.

A new study involving laboratory rats found the "kefir beer" reduced inflammation and stomach ulcers that had been induced in the animals, LiveScience reports.

To make the beer, the researchers added kefir grains — white or yellowish gelatinous clumps that contain bacteria and yeast — to a barley malt. The researchers then tested the beer on laboratory rats and compared them to other rodents given kefir, regular beer, water, ethanol, or an anti-inflammatory drug.

When the researchers compared the animals, they found that the kefir beer reduced the inflammation in the rats by about 48 percent.

In a second study, the researchers found kefir beer reduced stomach ulcers induced in rats.

Past research has suggested nutrients called polyphenols, found in beer, may have anti-inflammatory qualities. The new studies indicate kefir may have particular anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties, the researchers said.