Fermentation is a metabolic process in which an organism converts a carbohydrate, such as starch or a sugar, into an alcohol or an acid. This makes the cabbage rich in probiotic bacteria.
And so by consuming fermented foods you are adding beneficial bacteria and enzymes to your overall intestinal flora, increasing the health of your gut micro-biome and digestive system and enhancing the immune system
In simpler terms, fermentation is a process that occurs over time to allow chemical changes to take place that benefit our gut, when consumed.
With an increasing demand for gut health, and healthy alternatives, many Supermarkets and companies are grabbing this opportunity to supply fermented food. Fermentation is a process that has been used for many years, and traditionally was a method as food storage - Using salt or sugars to preserve raw foods and storing them in a closed and sterile environment to be consumed later on. Today, the popularity and demand for fermented foods have increased significantly. More and more we are seeing traditional food methods making a comeback with a modern approach. (i.e. raw, organic, homegrown, made-from-scratch) and with science backing the health benefits to doing so, I am all for it.
Kombucha has especially made a comeback, with a large variety of flavours to be found ready to drink in the health-food or drink section at your nearest supermarket. Kombucha appeals to many due to its beneficial links to gut health (which is also linked to mood)...
More Benefits of Fermented Foods - Contains lactobacilli (probiotic) which feeds good gut bacteria, allowing them to multiply and ‘outgrow’ the bad bacteria. This can help prevent infections and disease - Aids digestion - Typically low in sugar - High in fibre - Vitamin rich - Helps stabilises blood sugar, which in turn can reduce food cravings - Has shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol Examples of Fermented Foods
- Kombucha
- Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage)
- Kimchi
- Tempeh
- Kefir yoghurt
- Sourdough
Did you know?
It's very cheap and simple to make your own fermented food, all you need is a sterile glass jar, a clean cloth, salt, paperweight, your choice of food you would like to ferment, and most importantly.... patience. It takes a few weeks for the fermentation process to occur.
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