As explained on One Green Planet, fermentation is a process that helps preserve food and has been commonly used throughout history. This is one of the easiest ways to prolong the duration of fruits and veggies and to strengthen the flavour of the specific food and of course, fermented foods can help better your gut health, but your overall health too.
Nowadays, a lot of people have been increasing the consumption of fermented foods precisely because of their numerous health benefits. If you still have doubts whether to introduce fermented foods or not, continue reading this article to learn some of the major health advantages they have to offer and why fermented foods are a definite must!
Fermented Foods & Gut Health
As noted on One Green Planet, fermented foods go through a process known as lacto-fermentation during which yeast, bacteria, and other microorganisms break down sugar and starch and transform it into lactic acid. The lactic acid averts the growth of bad bacteria.
During lacto-fermentation, the nutritive properties of the food are being strengthened and since fermented foods are broken down in their most digestible form, the body has no problem processing them. Moreover, fermented foods are abundant in probiotics or good bacteria which are pivotal for a healthy gut because of their capacity to balance the gut microbiome. This is very important if we take into consideration that gut imbalance is known to lead to health-related complications, including IBS, Celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.
Other Health Benefits of Fermented Foods
- When consuming probiotics, the health of the gut improves, but so does that of the brain and leads to less stress and better memory
- Probiotics influence the metabolism of energy due to fermenting carbs which cannot be digested- it transforms them into short chain fatty acids which are absorbed and made into energy
- Probiotics from fermented foods assist with glucose synthesis and further strengthen the metabolism of energy
Top Suggestions for Tasty & Healthy Fermented Foods
- Kimchi
- Sauerkraut
- Tempeh
- Kombucha
- Miso
- Pickles
- Kefir
- Coconut milk yogurt
How to Add Fermented Foods to Your Diet
If you are lacking ideas for how to introduce more fermented foods to your day-to-day diet, check out these amazing suggestions by Cultures for Health:
- Consume yogurt or kefir for breakfast; add them to smoothies or mix them with oatmeal and fruits
- Combine scrambled eggs with some fermented salsa
- Incorporate fermented pickles to your ham, tuna, or salmon sandwiches
- Combine sauerkraut with your dinner meals
- For a healthy snack, dip veggies in kefir and dill dip
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