The Benefits of Fermented Foods

Feasting on fermented foods is a healthy trend that’s gaining popularity. Eating fermented, probiotic foods has many health benefits. Fermented foods contain lots of antibodies that add a barrier against microbial infection and help to build a stronger immune system. They also improve brain function, promote healthy skin, regulate the appetite and reduce sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings for better weight management.

Fermented foods are foods that have been through a process of lactofermentation in which natural bacteria feed on the sugar and starch in the food to create lactic acid. This process preserves the food, and creates beneficial enzymes, B-vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and various strains of probiotics.

The microflora that lives in fermented foods creates a protective lining in the intestines and shields it against pathogens. This natural fermentation process has also been shown to preserve nutrients in the food and make it more digestible.

With all of these benefits, I am sure you will want to include some of these tasty probiotic foods in your diet. Here’s a run-down of some of the more popular fermented foods and the benefits they provide. You can find most of these foods, or the ingredients to make them, at your local grocery store.

• Sauerkraut is high in dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and B vitamins. It’s also a great source of iron, copper, calcium, sodium, manganese and magnesium. Boosts digestive health, aids circulation, fights inflammation, strengthens bones and reduces cholesterol levels.
• Pickles contain 18 percent of your daily value of vitamin K, an essential fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in bone and heart health.
• Kombucha is rich in B-vitamins, enzymes, probiotics and a high concentration of acid (acetic, gluconic and lactic). Improves digestion, helps with weight loss, increases energy, detoxes the body, boosts the immune system, reduces joint pain and prevents cancer.
• Yogurt provides better overall diet quality, healthier metabolic profiles, healthier blood pressure and increased triglyceride levels.
• Kefir contains high levels of vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K2, biotin, folate, enzymes and probiotics.
• Kimchi contains high levels of antioxidants that reduce the risk of serious health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and gastric ulcers.
• Miso has anti-aging properties and helps to maintain healthy skin. Boosts the immune system, improves bone health and promotes a healthy nervous system.
• Tempeh reduces cholesterol, increases bone density, reduces menopausal symptoms, promotes muscle recovery and has the same protein quality as meat. It contains high levels of vitamins B5, B6, B3 and B2.