Benefits of Eating Fermented Foods

Fermented foods undergo the process of fermentation by beneficial bacteria and yeast. They are known for their probiotic properties and potential health benefits for digestion and gut health.

Fermented Foods FAQ

Image credit: onegreenplanet.org

What foods are fermented?

Common fermented foods include kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, tempeh, kombucha, and yogurt. These foods may reduce heart disease risk and aid digestion, immunity, and weight loss. Fermentation is an ancient technique of preserving food. The process is still used today to produce foods like wine, cheese, sauerkraut, yogurt, and kombucha.

Are fermented foods good for You?

Other fermented foods include yoghurts, cheeses, sour dough bread and chutneys. However, as well as lasting longer, fermented foods often contain a variety of ‘good’ bacteria which, if they can survive the journey to our gut, can be beneficial for our health.

Do fermented foods contain probiotics?

To ensure the fermented foods you choose do contain probiotics, look for the words "naturally fermented" on the label, and when you open the jar look for telltale bubbles in the liquid, which signal that live organisms are inside the jar, says Dr. Ludwig.

Do fermented foods contain live microorganisms?

They include yoghurt, kefir and some cheeses, which are produced as a result of lactic acid bacteria feeding on the lactose and other nutrients in milk. It's the effect on our health of these living microorganisms that scientists are interested in. But check the label, because not all fermented foods contain live microorganisms.

Are fermented foods healthy?

For most people, however, fermented foods are a safe and healthful addition to a balanced diet. They may be the perfect antidote to gut bacteria problems. Fermented foods, including kombucha, miso, tempeh, and sauerkraut, offer a variety of health benefits. Learn about these fermented foods and others in this article.

Can fermented foods improve food preservation?

Not only does fermentation enhance food preservation, but eating fermented foods can also boost the number of beneficial bacteria, or probiotics, in your gut. Fermentation is a process in which bacteria and yeast break down sugars.

Can fermented foods improve your gut health?

One way to increase the diversity of live bacteria in your gut is to eat fermented foods. Spector takes a shot of kefir every morning, along with home-brewed kombucha two to three times a week, and kimchi with cheese twice a week. Spector believes “everyone would be healthier if they had some fermented foods every day of their lives.“