Health Benefits of Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are almost forgotten in our fast-paced modern way of life. In every tradition, fermented foods represented a necessary part of a healthy diet, especially because it was the favorite food in winter. Today, we have many convenient options to store and obtain foods in winter. We use freezers and fresh foods that are imported from different parts of the world. In spite of that, some people become aware of health benefits of traditional foods and processes. Many studies have shown beneficial effects of fermented foods. During the fermentation process, natural bacteria use sugar and starch to feed themselves and convert it into lactic acid. In this way, they created various enzymes, good bacteria, certain vitamins and beneficial fatty acids. Studies believe that the enzymes created by fermentation process make foods more digestible and increase absorption of nutrients in general. These foods also keep our gut microflora in balance, thus enhancing our immune system. According to medical experts, 80 percent of our immunity depends on gut condition. Some scientists go even further, claiming that our gut behaves like the second brain. They did a lot of research on serotonin and found out that its level actually depends on the gut microbiome. To find out more about the health benefits of fermented foods, the article “12 Amazing Health Benefits of Fermented Foods” lists the following.

– Improves your energy level, mood, mental health, and brain power.
– Reverses negative effects of gut-killing chemicals such as GMO’s, pesticides, antibiotics, and vaccines.
– Activates and restores your intestinal flora, promoting good bacteria, clearing out harmful microbes.
– Strengthens the immune system’s ability to defend you from all illnesses.
– Reduces cravings for sugars and carbs, a global pandemic.
– Easy, quick and fun to make.
– Economical. Use any raw vegetable of fruit.
– Heals leaky gut, bowel disorders, SIBO, constipation, and inflammatory bowel disease.
– Lowers risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity, autism, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease.
– Eliminates digestive discomfort, after-dinner heaviness, and bloating.
– Controls bacterial ailments such as acne, dental plaque, candida, cavities, bad breath.
– Promotes healthy skin, improves eczema and psoriasis.

Apart from the powerful health benefits of fermented foods, there is one more reason to opt for them – a budget. Namely, preparation of fermented foods is simple and inexpensive. Homemade yogurt is less expensive than commercial one. Furthermore, the cost of vegetables ready for fermentation process is incomparably less than buying fresh foods during winter. Furthermore, if we take into account that we will not have to buy supplements such as probiotics and other vitamins, the price is even less. And the benefits of fermented foods on our health are priceless.