Fermented Foods Good for Your Gut and Overall Health

Fermented Foods Good for Your Gut and Overall Health

The human body is majority bacteria, filled with beneficial organisms known as the microbiome. Specifically, there are 10 microbial cells (90%) for every one human cell. These cells help us perform functions that sustain our life, including driving our immune system and metabolism.

Scientists have uncovered that the human gut hosts a complex community of these organisms known as the gut microbiome, and are extremely sensitive to what we eat. Our gut plays a fundamental role in breaking down and absorbing nutrients.

Poor dietary and lifestyle habits could result in the wellbeing of your gut microbiome, as well as your overall health.

So, what can we help with this?

The basic answer - eat some fermented foods.

Fermentation of foods is a process where natural bacteria devour sugar and starch found in food, creating lactic acid. The process preserves the food and yields valuable enzymes, omega-3 fatty acids, B-vitamins and are an excellent supply of probiotics. Fermented foods offer nourishing properties for your gut and should be included in a healthy diet.

Fermented foods have the potential to preserve the nutrient content of the food, and along with the probiotics, help by making nourishments easier to digest.

Some of the fermented foods that you might find beneficial for your gut health are below.

• Coconut yoghurt: a super tasty way to gain enzymes and probiotics
• Miso: crafted from fermented grains and soybeans, contains essential minerals too
• Sauerkraut: easy on the hip pocket and delicious as well. A cabbage dish that is easy to make at home.
• Pickles: homemade pickles preserved in vinegar and apple cider.
• Kombucha: this is a fizzy fermented tea, but be sure to check the sugar content if opting for the store-bought variety.

So, why are fermented foods the best to eat for gut health?

Fermented foods prove beneficial for your health due to a few fundamental reasons.

1. They enhance absorption

A healthy balance of gut microbiome and digestive enzymes will offer a boost for the absorption of nutrients in the foods that you enjoy. With a diet full of raw, real and healthy foods, your body will be ready to capitalise on the nutrients you take in.

2. An excellent source of probiotics

Fermented foods encourage good bacteria into your digestive system and help keep up a healthy balance in your gut. Probiotics could also contribute to keeping your bowel healthy, promote healthy digestion, and support a good immune system.

For women specifically, probiotics can also help to ward off urinary tract infections or the overgrowth of harmful microorganisms in your vagina. Check out this article by the Harvard Medical School for more detail.

3. Not too hard on the hip pocket

If you make your own fermented foods at home, you could have a very cost-effective way of promoting your gut health, as the ingredients are not overly expensive.

If you’re looking for other ways to boost your digestion, check out Bondi Beach Tea Co.Colon Cleanse tea. Bondi Colon Cleanse is a combination of some beneficial herbs that have traditional medicinal uses aiding with digestive issues.