The greatest benefi ts of fermented foods
come from probiotics. A human’s digestive
tract is teeming with some 100 trillion bacteria
and other microorganisms. Fermenting foods
preserves and boosts a food’s nutritional
value and supplies the body with the added
bonus of a mega dose of probiotics (live
microorganisms crucial to good digestion).
The importance of a diverse and healthy
intestinal microbiome, known as the microbial
community in the gut, plays a vital role in fi netuning
the immune system. Fermented foods
are benefi cial because they help provide a
wide spectrum use for probiotics to foster a
vigorous microbiome in the digestive tract.
Adding fermented foods to your diet is
fairly easy, but keep
in mind that not all
fermented foods are
created equal. Yogurt
is the most common
fermented food that
people tend to add to
their diet, because it is
both readily available
at most supermarkets
and it is a food that
people are most
familiar with.
To ensure that the
fermented foods you
choose to consume
do contain probiotics,
make sure to look on
the label for the words,
“naturally fermented.”
When you open the
jar or lid there should
be the telltale sign of
bubbles in the liquid which signal that live
organisms are inside. Eating sauerkraut might
not be the fi rst examples that spring to mind
when you think of health foods, but adding
it to your sandwich or wrap offers superior
fermentation benefi ts over cheese.
Fermentation is an easy and safe process
that can also be done at home by following
some basic guidelines. If you are interested
in trying it, there are two books that are
invaluable. Considered an expert zymologist,
Sandor Katz has written two books on the
subject – “Wild Fermentation” and “The Art of
Fermentation.”
French chemist Louis Pasteur may very well
be the fi rst zymologist but was certainly not
the last. In recent years, modern science has
observed the many benefi ts of fermented
foods and probiotics in supporting the
health of our digestive system. Extensive
research has been conducted examining
the health benefi ts of consuming friendly
bacteria. There appears to be direct links
between consuming these friendly bacteria
with improved digestion and detoxifi cation.
Modern food culture refl ects these fi ndings
with the popularization of probiotics both
sought after and found in fermented foods.
With so much
emphasis on the
important role
of gut health in
overall well-being,
fermented foods
and probiotics
have received
much praise and
recognition in
recent years, and
in moderation they
are a delicious and
wonderful way to
support strong
digestion and
overall health.
So, stop
shuddering when
you see someone
chug buttermilk.
Not only are
those items good
Health Benefifi ts
Improves I Immunity
I it
Improves Nutrient Absorption
Improves Digestion
Contains Probiotics,
B12, vitamin K, vitamin A
Minerals
Enzymes
Improves Mood
Increases Energy
Eliminates Candida
Detoxes from Heavy Metals
Promotes Cleaner, Healthier
Looking Skin
for you, they have been a staple cuisine for
centuries and have helped people to balance
their gut health. Whether you choose to wine
or to dine, either option provides a multitude
of benefi ts that are most assuredly divine.