People have been fermenting food for thousands of years. While it began as a great way to have access to vegetables in the non-growing months, fermentation didn’t stop as a food preservation technique. It has been adapted and developed to create new flavors for countless drinks, snacks, and different cuisines. More recently, fermented foods have been the focus of new research and experimentation. The body of information is continuing to grow, but one thing is definite: eating fermented food has far more benefits than we could have imagined!
1) Eating fermented food helps to diversify your gut microbiota.
Why does gut diversity matter? More research (see here) is showing why having a wide variety of different bacteria in your gut matters. Bacteria is a living organism and good bacteria works to fight off diseases and illnesses, which we’re constantly exposed to (whether we like it or not). The wider the variety of good bacteria you have in your gut, the wider the range of bad bacteria (colds, flu, etc) you can fight off!
2) Eating fermented foods gives you greater access to more vitamins and nutrients.
The fermentation process breaks down food in a way that makes their vitamins and minerals more ‘bioavailable’ to us. This means that our body can access more of the benefits the food has to offer by removing the natural compounds which inhibit us from absorbing their full nutritional value. Fermented foods are therefore high in iron, zinc, vitamin C, B vitamins, folic acid and vitamin K2.
3) Eating fermented foods increases good bacteria, or probiotics, in your gut.
Probiotics are great for helping with digestive issues including bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. They are known for helping ward off heart disease, lower chances of high blood pressure, and help fight off obesity. Probiotics are also linked to better mood and cognitive function. Clearly, the more probiotics you can get, the better your chances are for overall health! Why not trust fermented foods for your probiotic intake?
Need some easy ‘no-recipe-needed’ ideas on ways to get your daily dose of fermented food? Check out these options:
-Sourdough bread toast with almond butter
-Plain greek yogurt and granola
-Naturally fermented pickles on wraps and sandwiches
-Sauerkraut topped on eggs or avocado toast
-Miso soup
