February 22, 2016 · Written by Foodtolive Team
Fermented Foods: Why We Should Eat Them
Fermented foods have lots of health benefits that are hard to overestimate. They’re really useful for your digestive system as well as overall well-being. However, modern processed foods have replaced the old tradition of consuming fermented products like kefir, yogurt, and sauerkraut, which led to significant health deterioration.
Human’s digestive tract is filled with lots of bacteria; mostly “good” ones that help it stay healthy. However, contemporary fatty refined food easily destroys the balance between the “good” and the “bad” ones in your guts. When this happens, fermented foods are the solution.
Several Examples of Fermented Foods
These products go far beyond traditionally cultured dairy foods and drinks. The following products are ranked among the probiotics-rich foods:
- Kombucha tea.
This sweet fermented tea is great for detoxification, anti-oxidation, joint care as well as digestion. It’s a delicious substitute for fizzy drinks you might be used to. - Lacto-fermented pickles.
Cucumbers fermented with vinegar and dill can be home-made or bought from the store. This food is healthy since it hasn’t been sterilized, i.e. it contains live bacteria and becomes more nutrient-rich over time. - Sour cabbage.
This sauerkraut (as it’s mainly called) is a great source of fiber, vitamins, proteins, and essential minerals. Moreover, it can stop hazardous bacteria from growing besides filling you with the useful ones. - Yogurt and kefir.
These cultured milk drinks are incredibly useful for the lactose digestion and serve as a great source of probiotics. However, kefir has a wider variety of bacteria and has the ability to colonize the intestines, while yogurt just passes through.
Top Health Benefits of Fermented Foods
Fermentation doesn’t only give the food a peculiar taste; it has lots of various benefits. Here are some reasons to start eating fermented products:
- Better digestion.
The live bacteria (probiotics) that are found in such foods help you restore after taking antibiotics and stay regular. They have also shown the properties of boosting your immune system.Sponsored by Food to live
- Better nutrient absorption.
You’ll be able to get the most benefit from the food you eat only if you have the right amount of the gut bacteria. This is exactly what fermented foods do. If you combine them with healthy meals, this will help you keep away from supplements. - Saving money.
Eating healthy isn’t normally cheap. However, fermented goods are mostly cheaper and can be easily found at any store. It’s even possible to prepare such food at home. For instance, yogurt or kefir can be made in a yogurt maker. Moreover, you’ll be able to reduce your expenses on supplements and vitamins if you include enough fermented products in your diet. - Longer shelf life.
When you can fruits and vegetables, you usually lose lots of essential nutrients while processing. However, lacto-fermentation is able to preserve these elements and keep the food fresh for longer. - More vitamin synthesis.
Your body doesn’t only receive vitamins from the products you eat; it’s also able to produce them. Nevertheless, sometimes it needs help. Probiotics are responsible for the synthesis of B group vitamins along with vitamin K.
