Health Benefits Of Fermented Foods
Fermented foods involve foods that go through the process of lacto-fermentation where conversion of carbohydrates to alcohols and carbon dioxide or organic acids with the help of yeasts, bacteria or their combination under anaerobic conditions. This process helps in preserving foods and in creating beneficial enzymes, b-vitamins, omega – 3 fatty acids and other several strains of Probiotics.
Natural fermentation of food has been known for preserving the nutrients in food and is one of the most traditional ways that help in preserving food. It involves breaking down the food into easily digestible form. There are several health benefits associated with the consumption of fermented foods. Here is a list of such benefits:
1. Balances the production of stomach acid
Fermented foods help in easing the discomfort of stomach caused due to too much or too little stomach acid. Fermented foods help in increasing the acidity of gastric juices when stomach is not able to produce much hydrochloric acid. While on the other hand, when stomach is producing too much acid, fermented foods protect the stomach and intestinal lining. Also as we age the production of digestive juices and enzymes, which are necessary for proper digestion, begin to decrease. Fermented foods like sauerkraut, buttermilk and pickled vegetables help you in compensating for this loss. Small portions of fermented foods should be consumed once or twice daily with your meals.
2. Preserves food
The process of lacto-fermentation helps you to preserve food for longer period of time. For an instance, homemade salsa can last only a few days in your refrigerator, while fermented homemade salsa can last for much longer period of time(months). Sauerkraut, pickles, beets and other garden foods can also be preserved for longer. Fermentation also helps in preserving the nutrients present in the food which you might lose with traditional canning.
3. Absorbs food better
When you are able to balance your gut bacteria and digestive enzymes, it helps you in absorbing the nutrients and minerals that are present in the food you eat. Consume fermented food with your normal real food diet and you will be able to absorb much more nutrients. None of the other supplements and vitamins will be required if you are able to absorb more of the live nutrients present in your meal.
4. Improves digestion
Fermenting foods before we consume them is exactly like digesting them before we eat them. As per Joanne Slavin, a professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota, the reason why some people don’t like having milk but can eat yogurt is because the intolerable part of milk called lactose is broken down when the milk is fermented and is converted into yogurt.
5. Fermented foods are rich in enzymes
Foods that are fermented are enriched with enzymes which are something that our body needs to properly digest, absorb and utilize the nutrients present in our food. Consuming fermented foods also becomes important because as we age, the supply of enzymes in our body goes down and these foods help in making up the loss.
6. Beneficial for diabetics
Fermented foods improve the pancreatic function which is quite beneficial for the patients suffering from diabetes. Also the carbohydrates present in lactic acid-fermented foods are broken down due to which they do not put extra burden or pressure on your pancreas as ordinary carbohydrates do.
7. Nutritious
Fermented foods contain amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The fermentation process increases the amount of vitamins and which is good for our health. For example we can get ample of energetic B vitamins from fermented milk and vitamin C from fermented vegetables. The fermentation process also helps in increasing the bio-availability of foods.
Sources: http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/traditional-fermented-foods-benefits/#axzz2pzB049Uz
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/foods28.php
http://wellnessmama.com/2245/health-benefits-of-fermented-foods/
http://www.cheeseslave.com/eat-fermented-foods/
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jason-tetro/fermented-food_b_3804264.html