- Improved Digestion
- Stronger Immunity
- Reduced Inflammation
- Better Absorption
What do these benefits have in common? They all start in your gut. And that’s where fermented foods come in.
Fermented foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and miso. During the fermentation process, bacteria and yeast break down sugar and starches in food to create new flavour profiles. This process also creates probiotics, which are live microbes that help with digestion and overall gut health.
Here’s a list of some fermented options you can easily find at your local grocery store:
- Kimchi. A traditional Korean side dish that’s become a beloved food all around the world! While there are numerous variations to it, it’s most commonly made from a base of napa cabbage, radish, scallions, and spices.
- Kombucha. Think of a tea that’s slightly fizzy and fermented, and you’ve got kombucha! It consists of tea, water, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. Sometimes it’s even flavoured to give it a more familiar taste (think raspberry lemonade).
- Pickles. You’ve got me pickled if you’ve never had a pickle before! Pickles are just cucumbers with brine, dill, mustard, coriander seeds, and peppercorns.
While fermented foods are good for you, make sure you don’t consume a ton in high quantities. Additionally, if you’re not used to eating fermented foods, start small. Next time you want to eat something that’ll help you feel better, think of fermented foods!
By Peter Yurek, BSc. Phm.
