3 Reasons To Eat Fermented Foods

It’s become pretty “cool” to eat fermented foods.

From spicy kimchi to tangy sauerkraut, and fizzy kombucha to creamy kefir, these fermented foods have become something of a food fad. 

And it’s not just the taste that makes these fermented delights so appealing. Their rise in popularity is also due to the health benefits they provide – particularly the live bacteria which do absolute wonders for the gut.

You see, our intestines are swarming with trillions of bacteria. But don’t be alarmed, many of them are “good” bacteria that help keep your body healthy. 

With all the processed and sugary foods that are abundant in today’s Western diet, it’s no wonder that people are suffering from gut and oral related diseases. 

But by bringing traditional, fermented foods back into our diets we can begin to get our bodies back in tip-top shape!

So what’s so special about fermented foods?

What is food fermentation?

Traditionally, food fermentation was used as a way of preserving food, long before the days of refrigeration. 

During the fermentation process, microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast convert carbohydrates such as sugars and starch into alcohol or acids. 

The alcohol and acids act as natural preservatives, giving fermented foods their distinctive, strong and slightly sour flavor. 

This transformation of sugars and starches promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in food. 

These bacteria, known as probiotics or ‘good bacteria,’ are responsible for a whole host of health benefits! Let’s take a look:

REDUCES iNDIgestion

Many of us at some point have experienced some kind of digestive issue. Whether it’s bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation, as lovely as that sounds, we’ve all been there!

Digestive issues are caused by an imbalance of the gut. The probiotics produced during the fermentation process help to balance out the composition of your gut flora to help you better digest and absorb the food you eat. 

Fermented foods are also jam-packed full of digestive enzymes to help you break down your food better. This gives healthy eaters an added nutrition boost when consuming a nutrient-rich diet.

Increases absorption of vitamins and nutrients

Your body depends on the nutrients you are receiving from food for optimal functioning. But the thing is, you could be eating a nutrient-rich diet and not be receiving full nutrition. This is because your gut may not be adequately digesting and absorbing what you’re eating. 

Take raw cabbage for example, which is an excellent source of vitamin C. When you eat raw cabbage, it passes through your digestive tract undigested, meaning you’re not receiving much of the vitamin C. When it is fermented into sauerkraut, the vitamin C content is not only increased but it is much easier for your body to absorb. 

Our article “It’s Not What You Eat, it’s How You Eat” expands on how to get maximum nutrition from the food you eat.

Benefits your oral health

It makes sense that with better digestion and better absorption of nutrients that your oral health will also benefit. But it goes further than that.

In our article ‘How Your Gut Health and Oral Health are Related’, we discuss how the gut microbiome and oral microbiome are connected. In fact, they are constantly communicating with each other. 

Gum disease is caused by bacteria. If there is an imbalance of gut bacteria, your digestive system and immune system suffer, as well as the balance of bacteria in the mouth. 

And if there is an imbalance of bacteria in the mouth, gum disease begins to develop. Gingivitis is a common sign of an imbalance of bacteria in your mouth that relates to your gut. 

Check out our article, “Heal Your Gut, Heal Your Life’, which explains in detail the role of our gut and how to keep it healthy.

list of beneficial fermented foods

• Yogurt The most common fermented food, produced by bacterial fermentation of milk
  
• Sauerkraut This popular dish is made of finely shredded fermented cabbage
  
• Miso A traditional Japanese paste made from fermented soybeans
  
• Sourdough bread Authentic sourdough bread is made with milk and other foods that have been allowed to ferment before making the bread dough
  
• Kefir A fermented drink made from milk. Find out how to make kefir here.
  
• Kimchi. A traditional Korean dish made from pickled vegetables like cabbage or radish
  
• Natto. A traditional Japanese breakfast dish made from fermented soybeans
  
• Poi A fermented paste made from taro root
  
• Tempeh A traditional Indonesian cake-like product made from fermented soybeans

Stop destroying good bacteria in your mouth

Many (if not most) conventional mouthwash and toothpaste indiscriminately destroy all strains of bacteria in the mouth (including the needed good strains), making you more prone to gum disease.

This is where Good-Gums comes in! Rather than kill good bacteria, our all-natural tooth and gum powder supports your body’s natural efforts to create a balanced microbiome so good bacteria can thrive.

Our completely natural and yummy herbal formula uses 100% natural ingredients that neutralize the pH balance in your mouth and helps to create a nutrient-rich environment that ensures a healthy balance of oral microbiome. This healthy, thriving habitat of the mouth helps you to chew and digest food more efficiently, as well as allowing the probiotic strains (healthy bacteria) to perform protective functions in the mouth. When your mouth and oral microbiome are healthy and thriving, the rest of your body will thrive too!

Remember, what’s good for your mouth is good for you!