Fermented?? That sounds disgusting.

You may have heard this buzz word somewhere in your life, as it seems to me growing in popularity as we are trying to take control of our health.

Fermented foods are the real deal when it comes to our health and I am here to say you need more fermented foods in your life.  Your gut health needs it and giving our microbiome ( the cornucopia of bacteria in our gut) fermented foods helps it to thrive...bye bye bloating, gas, weight gain, hormones' imbalance. 

80% of our immune system is found in the gut so we cannot afford to treat our guts badly any longer.

Fermented foods have many benefits:

Gut health: When the protective lining of the gut is inflamed, the body is more vulnerable to allergies, infections, and yeast overgrowth. Lucky for us, lactic acid bacteria ( fermented foods contain lactic acid) have the ability to reduce intestinal permeability, thereby restoring the net. They also create pH changes in the GI tract that make it difficult for pathogens to survive. 

Digestion: Raw cultured vegetables are essentially pre-digested, meaning that the bacteria have broken down the naturally occurring sugars in the vegetables, so that you don’t have to. The enzymes in fermented vegetables also assist in digesting foods eaten along with them, particularly grains, legumes, and meat.

Nutritional boost: The fermentation process makes nutrients more bio-available for the body to absorb. For instance, the amount of vitamin C in sauerkraut is significantly higher than in the same serving of fresh cabbage. And in wheat-based products, like sourdough, fermentation has been shown to degrade gluten, making it less inflammatory ( and this is why 2021 is the year of the Sourdough for me...follow me on IG to watch me become a sourdough master in disguise).

Detoxification: Both the beneficial bacteria and the active enzymes act as potent detoxifiers in the intestines. Beneficial microbes ferment fiber from foods like onions, garlic, leeks, artichokes, and chicory root as a means to fuel their own growth. These foods are also called prebiotics, known for amping up the detoxification process.

Sugar cravings: Yeast and pathogenic bacteria feed off sugar. The more sugar you ingest, the more hospitable you’re making your intestines for harmful microbes. This creates a less-than-ideal cycle: the more sugar you eat, the more “bad” bacteria you have…which makes you crave more sugar. The reverse, however, is also true, meaning the fewer of these “bad” bacteria you have, the less you crave sugar.

Weight: Emerging research suggests gut microbes also affect hormones that regulate our metabolism—leptin, in particular, which is known for limiting appetite. So in addition to influencing our thirst for sugar, unfavorable bacteria may also make it more difficult for some people to feel full, leading to overeating and subsequent weight gain. 

( check out more info on fermented foods in this article on goop.com:  https://tinyurl.com/y2olxr4m ) 

Have I convinced you yet you need this in your life. 

Here are the fermented foods you need in your life: 

1. Kefir- be conscious of choosing a low sugar option for your kefir. 

2. Sauerkraut- choose on in the store that is refrigerated over on the shelves. 

3. Kimchi

4. Pickles

5. Sourdough- homemade sourdough is your best option as you can control the quality of the ingredients ( follow my journey on IG @shannon_yundt) as I explore the world of sourdough starters.

6. Yogurt

7. Kombucha

8. Miso

9. Tempeh

Sprinkling in these different fermented food options each week into your diet will have a profound effect on your health.  Be sure to start slow and add a little at a time, as fermented foods may cause gas and bloating as your gut is getting used to being flooded with the good keys. 

Happy Fermenting!!!!