The benefits to fermented foods include better digestion and a strong immune system. If you’re looking for an easy way to lose weight and improve your mood and your health, you can’t go wrong with fermented foods.
What Are Fermented Foods? According to the National Institutes of Health, naturally fermented foods are created during microbial growth. Enzymes in fermented foods break down the sugars. Fermentation is an age-old process of preserving food. It’s also a powerful way of introducing healthy bacteria into your gastrointestinal tract.
You just naturally feel better when you include these foods in your diet. Here are some of the many health benefits of fermented foods.
Eat fermented food for gut health. Because fermented food is loaded with good bacteria and healthy enzymes that can break down food, you’ll feel less bloated when you incorporate these foods into your diet. You’ll also lose weight.
For optimal health, you need a gut microbiome that’s balanced and healthy. One of the many benefits to fermented foods, is they increase the good bacteria in your system. Consuming these foods can help ease and even prevent these problems:
One of the best ways to introduce good bacteria into your gut is by drinking kombucha daily. You can buy it in the store, but it will have far more of the healthy bacteria and test better if you make your own kombucha.
Fermented foods are dense in nutrients. The nutritional value of vegetables increases when they’ve been fermented. Those microorganisms produce extra vitamins, including:
The fermentation process also predigests these foods so that they’re easier to absorb. Fermentation also reduces carbohydrates so they are more digestible.
The probiotics found in fermented foods can also help you lose weight. Inflammation can lead to type 2 diabetes and obesity. Probiotics can prevent those pro-inflammatory molecules from going into your bloodstream and wreaking havoc.
The human gut is sometimes called the second brain because there is such a link between gastrointestinal health and the central nervous system. A diet loaded with sugar, the abuse of antibiotics, and constant stress can cause your gut to get out of balance.
When your intestinal system is out of whack, you can develop depression and an inability to think clearly. Including fermented foods daily can help alleviate these issues.
If you’re worried about getting sick, build up your immune system by including plenty of fermented foods in your diet. The more unhealthy bacteria you have in your gut, the more vulnerable you are to illness. Conversely, having plenty of good bacteria helps you fight off the pathogens that cause disease.
The benefits to fermented foods are well worth the effort of preparing them. While sourdough bread takes a little planning, you'll find it's easy to make sauerkraut. Try this kefir recipe and make your own kimchi. You'll find they're simple to prepare and delicious.
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